Airdrie star explains remarkable East Fife goal tally as he hails career-best form patch

Airdrie’s Calum Gallagher says his current run at the Diamonds ranks as one of the most enjoyable of his career.

The former St Mirren and Rangers striker notched a brace against East Fife on Saturday as Ian Murray’s side secured a 2-0 League One victory.

It was their 16th unbeaten match and leaders Cove Rangers drawing with Queen’s Park on Sunday allowed the second-placed team to cut the gap from five points to three.

Gallagher has been at the Excelsior Stadium since 2019, and believes this is the best Lanarkshire side he has been involved with.

The forward said: “It’s the most enjoyable season of football to be involved in. I had my first year here and I perhaps scored more goals. It was a bit more of a grind and a bit uglier then.

“But it’s been really enjoyable this season. You know when you turn up on a Saturday, you know players are going to take the ball, turn and take you up the pitch.

“I don’t need to fight for scraps as there are players behind me who will create chances from nothing. We can be patient, we don’t need to scrap and claw for everything. It’s a real pleasure to be part of.”

Gallagher is now on 12 goals for the campaign and five of those have come against the Bayview club. East Fife are haunted by the player who’s now netted 14 times in as many games against them during his career.

The 27-year-old added: “It’s been well-documented in the Airdrie camp that I do have a good record against East Fife. It’s nice to go into the game with that sort of mentality.

“It certainly gives me an edge. I’d like to expand to more teams in the league that I have this sort of relationship with.

“But these two goals give me confidence going into the last four fixtures, and potential the play-offs.”

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