Dundee Utd clash gives Airdrie a test against the best, but we want points, says boss

Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe says games against Dundee United at Tannadice are why promotion to the Championship was so important – and wants to emerge with points.

The Diamonds have made a sparkling start to their maiden Championship season, beating Partick Thistle and Inverness 2-1, following a 2-1 opening day defeat at Dunfermline, and lost narrowly 4-3 against Ross County after extra-time in their Viaplay Cup second round clash.

McCabe says heading to Tannadice on Saturday is what being in the second tier is all about.

“This is why we’re playing football at this level, and we want to test ourselves against the best,” said the Airdrie player-boss.

“Again, it’s a tough test, with Inverness, and in the games we’ve had so far every one has been tough.

“But we’ll be looking to go to Dundee United, put in a positive performance, hopefully get a result, and put a run together.”

McCabe was on the bench for Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Inverness following a knee injury, but wasn’t quite fit enough to come on.

He said: “I’m not quite there. I came in early on Saturday before the lads came in, and did a cardio session on the pitch and it felt good, reacted well.

“I sat on the bench, with the limited midfielders that we’ve got just now – Charlie Telfer picked up a niggle with his knee – so if called upon we had Gavin Gallagher and myself.

“But I’m hopefully not too far away and it’s now about picking up the pace, in terms of my training load, and getting to work.”

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