Jimmy Boyle has backed the Airdrieonians crop of kids to shine in the Second Division.

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The Diamonds first-team squad return for pre-season training today, but a number of the club's promising youngsters have been working out at New Broomfield during the off-season.

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And Boyle thinks their focus on fitness, as well as last season's SFL1 experience, will have them ready to go for the big kick-off next month.

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He said: "We have a good basis of young boys and it is about getting the right people and right experience in to help them push on.

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"We will be building with these young players.

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"The young boys have always stood up and been counted. Whether we've lost or not, they've always given their all. Last season was great for their learning.

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"We're starting pre-season training shortly but these boys have been in during the summer working hard. We've had them in a couple of times a week.

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"They will have their one or two weeks' holiday when it comes around but will be in with us apart from that.

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"I want them to be in the best physical condition for the start of next season."

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It was a baptism of fire for many of Airdrie's young players last season who were thrust into the spotlight.

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Relegation from SFL1 was confirmed long before the final day of term but Boyle says the kids will be all right.

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"I think they are mentally tough enough to come back from what happened last season," he added. "They are a different beast.

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"People like Chris O'Neil, Ricki Lamie, Jamie Barclay, Grant Drummond and Liam Watt - it has been tough for them. They have taken some hard knocks.

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"But they have kept going. We will speak to them all through the summer about the negatives but also about the positives. We will also turn those negatives into positives.

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"We've told them how good they could be and where they could go if they apply themselves."