Hamilton v Airdrie: Diamonds have nothing to fear in second leg, says boss

Rhys McCabe says Airdrie have nothing to fear from Hamilton on Saturday, and will be going into the tie like it’s 0-0.

The Diamonds hold a 1-0 lead going into the second leg at New Douglas Park, courtesy of Callum Smith’s 56th-minute strike at New Broomfield last night.

But McCabe says they will be going in to settle the tie as soon as possible, and make the step up to the Championship at the second time of asking.

The player-boss said: “We have nothing to fear.

“We’ve given ourselves a chance, we’re up in the tie, it’s another game on Saturday and again, one that we will be going out to win.

“It’s tough, because it’s over two legs, so how do you approach it – and the Falkirk game was the same.

“I play football the same way; we’ll be going in there on Saturday as if it’s a 0-0, and looking to get the victory.

“We’re going into the game with confidence.”

Airdrie could have taken the lead before Smith’s strike, as he weaved his way through the Hamilton defence before slamming the ball past Jamie Smith.

That put the hosts’ tails up and they had a few chances after that, though so did Accies.

But McCabe acknowledged that a final ball may have resulted in more goals.

He said: “Smithy takes his goal really well, but I don’t think we clicked to the extent that we have been recently.

“You could argue was that to do with Hamilton, but I don’t agree – I think we were wasteful, especially middle to front.

“Adam Frizzell, Justin Devenny, our creative players, especially late in the game, were over-hitting the pass, or that final pass let us down.

“I think if we had got that right there were opportunities there to go and maybe score a few more.”

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