Airdrie star hoping Diamonds come good on ambition that sold him on North Lanarkshire transfer

Airdrie's Rhys McCabe says promotion to the Championship would match the vision he saw when moving to North Lanarkshire.

The former Rangers player netted a crucial penalty five minutes from time in the Diamonds' 1-1 draw with Queen's Park during a tense Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

Simon Murray had initially put the home side at Firhill ahead but now the tie is in the balance as Airdrie look to end their nine-year League One stint.

Naturally a midfielder, playing a role as a right-sided centre-back in a back three probably isn't what McCabe was told when joining Ian Murray's team.

But the prospect of playing second tier football was certainly on his mind when joining from Queen of the South in 2021.

Now sitting one match at the Penny Cars Stadium away from it, McCabe can't wait: "There's another full 90 minutes to go but it's great to take the tie back to our place on Sunday.

"We know there are things we can improve on but we certainly have positives to take from this. We've come away with a draw which is a not bad result considering we went a goal behind.

"The boys showed character so there are positives to take. We like to play passing football but sometimes we need to go long and direct, like we did on Thursday.

"We started the game really well but Queen's Park came into the game really well. So a draw is a fair result.

"We know we will have a good result cheering us on. It all comes down to Sunday.

"It's important in every way. When I came into the club, I saw the vision of where this club wants to go. It would be a great achievement."

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