top of page
Rangers v Airdrieonians preview

31st October 2013

Gary Bollan will take charge of Airdrieonians for the first time on Friday night - in a Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox.

The Diamonds face Rangers in the third round with the 40-year-old completing his first week as manager after replacing Jimmy Boyle.

Hundreds of Airdrie fans will make the short trip to Glasgow hoping their favourites can pull off what would be a huge shock.

Bollan is looking forward to the test and believes the players have an opportunity to perform well on one of the Scottish game's biggest stages.

He said: "I'm pleased with how things have gone this week. We've had two training sessions and they went well.

"The tempo of training is a bit higher and we have been looking at keeping the ball and getting the ball down and playing.

"I think all players should aspire to play at places like Ibrox and we intend to go there and give it our best shot.

"With this game being a cup-tie, it takes the pressure off us a little bit and we know we will be massive underdogs."

Airdrie last faced Rangers at Ibrox in October 2001. Shota Arveladze's double and a goal from Arthur Numan earned the Light Blues a 3-0 win in the League Cup.

Defender Gregor Buchanan can't wait to experience playing at Ibrox for the first time and is relishing the break from SPFL League One duty.

He said: "It's where everybody wants to play football. It's an opportunity to go out and do your stuff.

"I think it will be good for us to get away from the league for a week. There will be a freshness. Everybody is expecting nothing but we will go out and give it a go."

Newly-appointed boss Bollan is without injured defenders Chris O'Neil (sports hernia) and Grant Evans (ankle) for the clash with Ally McCoist's side.

On-loan Rangers keeper Scott Gallacher is ineligible. The manager confirmed that he is currently working on this situation while back-up Andrew Duncan is ready to play.

bottom of page