Dundee v Airdrie: No-one is safe from drop after Ayr embarrassment, says Diamonds boss

Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe has warned his squad no one is guaranteed a place in the team for Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup last 16 clash with Dundee, following their “embarrassing” showing at Ayr last week.

The Diamonds were demolished at Somerset Park in a 5-0 defeat last Friday night to bring them back down to earth after starting the season with a 1-0 victory over last season’s Championship runners-up Raith Rovers.

But action now turns to the League Cup and a huge test against on-form Premiership side Dundee, who will go into the clash off the back of an impressive 3-1 league win over Hearts at the weekend.

McCabe has told his players they all need to impress him this week to earn their place in his starting 11 for Dens Park, and he has challenged them to put their poor show in Ayrshire behind them, if they are to pull off a shock and earn their place in the quarter-final draw.

He said: “After Friday, everybody’s now fighting for a place. We know Dundee is a game where we’re going in as underdogs against a really good side, so we’ve got to make sure we quickly get it [Friday] to the back of our minds, we get to the training ground, work hard and go with a gameplan to get a result.

“It’s a tough fixture that takes our mind off Friday.”

Reflecting further on the Ayr game, McCabe added: “The scoreline isn’t great but it is the same as if we’d lost 1-0. We gifted them goals and we’ve got to learn from it. There is no point in dwelling on it. The only way you get better is to learn from it.

“It was very tough to watch. The way we conceded the goals was very disappointing. As a footballer, I’d like to think everyone feels the same as me now – you’re embarrassed.

“You’re live on TV, coming into a big game away from home and to