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

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

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

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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.

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

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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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

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"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."

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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.

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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.