It's the start of a new season and Airdrieonians boss Jimmy Boyle insists his side are ready to go.

​

The Diamonds kick-off the new campaign at home to Hamilton Accies in the first round of the Ramsdens Challenge Cup.

​

Excited fans are looking forward to Airdrie playing as 'Onians for the first time in more than 11 years.

​

And gaffer Boyle wants his team to mark the occasion by putting on a positive display.

​

He said: "We will be fine come Saturday. We will be ready to go. We know we are playing against a full-time team.

​

"But we can definitely go out there and cause them a lot of problems if we produce what I've seen in pre-season.

​

"Hamilton will start as favourites. We've had them watched and they are very similar to last season in that they haven't changed a lot.

​

"We have changed a lot and that could prove to be the difference.

​

"We are looking for a really good performance and I think it will be a good game.

​

"We're getting fitter, stronger and sharper and heading in the right direction.

​

"There is a little bit of history for the club this weekend. I'm delighted with the revival of the Airdrieonians name and I know the fans are excited about everything.

​

"There will be an extra onus on the game because of that and also because of the local rivalry."

​

Boyle hasn't finished in terms of squad recruitment and is in the market for a left-back as well as hoping to strengthen in another couple of departments.

​

He added: "We definitely need to strengthen in the left-back area. Everybody knows that and it's not something we haven't spoke about.

​

"We also want to improve the depth of the squad by adding a couple more and we're having a look to see what is out there.

​

"We have spoken to one or two clubs and asked them to let us know which trialists they are letting go. It could be that we can offer them something."

​

Airdrie have made seven summer signings with Colin Stewart, Darren McCormack, Mick O'Byrne, Martin Hardie, David Sinclair, Lewis Coult and Jim Lister all expected to play.

​

But striker John Boyle is out indefinitely with a knee injury which requires surgery.