Airdrie striker says half-time rollicking got them going against Partick Thistle

Airdrie striker Calum Gallagher admits it took a ‘half-time jag’ from boss Rhys McCabe to get them started against Partick Thistle, but the damage was done in the first half.

Aidan Fitzpatrick’s corner was headed in by Ricco Diack in seven minutes and 30 minutes later his cross took a wicked deflection off defender Callum Fordyce before looping into the net.

Nine minutes into the second half, Gallagher nodded down an Adam Frizzell cross for Craig Watson to blast a shot into the net, but it wasn’t to be as Thistle ran out 2-1 winners.

Gallagher said: “The damage was done in the first half. We just didn’t start well, before we knew it they’ve scored from a corner and we’re chasing the game, to a degree.

“It’s not like us to be shy on the ball, almost. We just didn’t look ourselves all first half, and unfortunately it did take a jag off the gaffer at half-time to get the boys going.

“I thought we improved a lot in the second half. We had a couple of chances towards the end of the game where we could maybe steal something, but it was a frustrating afternoon.

“The goal was a good move, it was probably the first decent bit of play that we’ve had throughout the game. Frizz comes inside and clips one to the back door, and Janny’s in a great position to make it 2-1.

“It gives us a foot-hold in the game to build on, and I think in the second half we probably had the better of things, but the damage was probably done in the first half.”

Gallagher was full of praise for Watson, who pops up on the scoresheet fairly regularly for the Diamonds.

He said: “Craig tends to score screamers, I think that’s another one he can add, in terms of the quality of the finish and the fact it’s a really good team goal.

“It suits him, playing in that