Airdrie v Morton: Rhys McCabe says `Ton's turnaround last season shows Diamonds can get off bottom of table

Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe reckons Morton’s turnaround last season should give his side the belief they can climb off the foot of the Championship table.

Rock-bottom Diamonds have just five points from 15 games and sit 10 points adrift of a quartet of sides, with Morton, Raith, Dunfermline and Hamilton Accies all locked on 15 points.

But McCabe cites Ton’s turnaround from relegation contenders last Christmas to a fifth place finish as inspiration for his struggling side, ahead of today’s visit from the Cappielow outfit.

He said: “It’ll be a tough game, it always is. I think just looking at league positions and current form, it’ll be a difficult game for both sides.

“We’ll be hoping that a couple of home fixtures in a row will give us a wee bit of momentum and hopefully we’ll start to kick on.

“Using Morton as an example, I think they were on eight points at Christmas last year, so by all means there’s nothing won or lost leading into the middle of December.

“We’d like to be in a better position of course, but we’re not – so it’s important that we get our sleeves rolled up, get the heads down, and get to work.”

Airdrie are still searching for their first league win since the opening day of the season on August 3, but are starting to get some long-term injured stars back fit, with winger Liam McStravick returning to training.

McCabe, whose side lost 2-0 to Morton at Cappielow in September when ex-Diamond Cammy Ballantyne, added: “We have players coming back that will add huge quality and confidence to the boys - but to win a game you need good basics and good habits.”