Airdrie's top scorer knows he needs to fight for his place in the team

Calum Gallagher might be Airdrie's top scorer this season, but knows he has to fight for a starting place against Clyde tomorrow.

Gallagher, 28, has struck four times this term, but knows there are goals coming from elsewhere, with Justin Devenny having scored three, both Adam Frizell and Gabby McGill have two to their name, and Salim Kouider-Aissa, Callum Smith, Craig Watson, Cammy Ballantyne and Kyan Gunn have all weighed in with one.

The former Rangers and St Mirren striker has been introduced to games from the bench in recent weeks, and knows he has to convince boss Rhys McCabe and assistant Callum Fordyce that he's the man to spear-head the attack when the Bully Wee visit New Broomfield.

Gallagher, League One player of the month for August, told Airdrie's website: "The manager and Dycey have got it so right this year, in terms of quality over quantity.

"Every single member of the squad is more than capable of a starting place.

"The competition for places just now is really fierce, so I'm hopeful that I can go in this week, train well, and be in with a good shout of starting on Saturday."

Airdrie's first defeat of the season - and in a 26-game run - was a 6-0 humbling against FC Edinburgh a fortnight ago, with games postponed last weekend as a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II.

That tumbled the Diamonds down to fourth in League One, while opponents Clyde are in seventh, and vice-captain Gallagher knows to expect a tough test against Danny Lennon's side.

"They're a very well-drilled and well-organised side and they've started ever so well this year," he said.

"We're very aware of the quality that they can bring and how difficult the task will be, but we need to approach each game with a real hunger to grab three