Alan Lithgow wants to start the league season with a home win - and end it with at least a play-off place.

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The 27-year-old is part of Airdrie's new look defence after signing from League One rivals Stenhousemuir in the summer, and he wants his new side to buck recent trends by making a strong start to the league campaign.

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As the Diamonds prepare to welcome Forfar Athletic to New Broomfield for the season's curtain-raiser, Lithgow is keen to send out a statement of intent.

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"Winning your first game is important, especially if it's at home. You need to win your home games.

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"It's against a team that could have won our league last season. If you beat a team like Forfar on the first day of the season it sends a message to the other teams."

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Poor starts have scuppered Airdrie's play-off hopes in the last two seasons. On both occasions the Diamonds looked more like relegation candidates for the opening spell, but turned things around to miss out on a top-four finish by a few points.

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Lithgow is determined to prevent that happening again.

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"Airdrie are known for starting slow and finishing strong. We're hoping to change that this year by starting strong and keeping it going throughout the season - which we're more than capable of doing."

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The Diamonds start their league campaign on the back of a League Cup win at Stirling, and Petrofac defeat at Annan.

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Alan says lessons have been learned, and a top-four league finish is the priority.

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"The defeat at Annan was a game that we learned a lot from. I think we saw that against Stirling; we were more secure throughout the team, kept our shape well and kept their chances to a minimum.

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"As for the league, I'm not going to say we can't win it - but I think realistically we are aiming for the play-offs.

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"If we don't make the play-offs it'll be a disappointing season!"

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Airdrie are still without the services of striker Jim Lister and midfielder Marc Fitzpatrick.

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Boss Gary Bollan said: "Jimmy is waiting for his hernia operation now, and Marc won’t be rushed back because he has the experience to know his body well enough and when he should return."

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Dick Campbell's Forfar have seen a few big name departures over the summer, with important players like Darren Dods and Dale Hilson moving on to pastures new.

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But the Angus side have recruited well, bringing in the likes of Thomas O'Brien from Cowdenbeath to bolster their squad.

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After some exciting meetings between the sides last season, it should be a tie worthy of getting the season underway.