Airdrie put on a show against St Johnstone and can compete with anyone in Scotland, says McCabe after cup scalp

Rhys McCabe reckons Airdire can compete with anyone in Scotland after the Championship side 'put on a show' to send Premiership St Johnstone crashing out of the Scottish Cup.

The Diamonds dazzled Craig Levein's men with their range of passing and high press, while it was left to Bulgarian striker Nikolay Todorov - who was on the books at Hearts under Levein - to pop up with the only goal of the game to book their place in the fifth round.

Todorov completed a neat move after Liam McStravick's deep cross and been turned back across goal for the striker to finish after 54 minutes.

And McCabe was delighted with the performance as they added Saints to a list of top flights scalps in recent season, which includes Motherwell St Mirren and Dundee.

The player/boss said: "I think we deserved the win. The message was to show anyone watching the game and show any SPFL opposition that we are a good footballing team when we are on it.

"When we are on it we are a good side and we can compete with anyone in Scotland, especially here at home.

"It is a real cauldron, the pitch suits us and the way we want to play.

"I felt we deserved it and it felt that way while I was playing.

"From start to finish, we looked in control. We controlled the rhythm and the temp of the game, which is obviously the pleasing part.

"It is not often you get to test yourself against top flight teams. We play teams four times in the league campaign so to go and have that wee carrot to play Premiership opposition - whether it be St Johnstone, Motherwell or St Mirren like we have in the past - it gives you a wee gauge of where that next level is.

"Ultimately, I am trying to get these young players to that next level and beyond. To do that, I think they need to get