Airdrie v Raith: Diamonds having smaller budget than Championship rivals shouldn't hinder promotion hopes, says Fordyce

Callum Fordyce insists Airdrie not having cash to splash in the Championship shouldn't hinder their bid for promotion to the Premiership.

The Diamonds moved up to fourth in the table on Tuesday after a 2-0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle, keeping their dreams of a shot at the top flight alive.

Player/assistant boss Fordyce says Airdrie proved last season that having a smaller budget than their rivals didn't stop them winning promotion from League One and believes they can do the same again this season, as they target a play-off place.

He said: "You saw last season that our budget wasn't brilliant compared to the teams around us in League One, it's about the players you have at the club.

"We have a structure here, we have an identity and a way we want to play, and you need to fit a style of play.

"The most important thing is having good characters in the changing room, it gets you a long way.

"It's the exact same this season, so we'll keep progressing as a club and see where that takes us."

Airdrie welcome league leaders Raith Rovers to New Broomfield this afternoon and Fordyce is hoping they can keep up their fine form against the Kirkcaldy side, managed by ex-Diamonds boss Ian Murray.

Fordyce has yet to lose to Raith after a 1-0 win at New Broomfield and a 1-1 draw at Stark's Park in their previous meetings this season.

He said: "There's history between people at the clubs but we can't think about that. We are playing against a side who are in good form and we will give them the respect they are due, but we need to focus on ourselves.

"Every game is a big game in this league.

"The Championship is probably the toughest league in Scotland. You can get four teams drawing and things like that.

"We'll play our game and