Jonathan Page is looking forward to facing up to English opposition in the Irn Bru cup when Sutton United visit Airdrie this weekend.

 

The defender hails from Portsmouth, and can't wait for the opportunity to take on a side from his home country.

 

“I’m very much looking forward to it. I’ve been up in Scotland for ten years now, so to get a game against an English side is good. I grew up intending to play football in England, so it’ll be nice.

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“I honestly don’t think you can make comparisons concerning the levels. I’ve played against Conference sides when I was younger, and I think we’ll probably find that Sutton are more physical, bigger and stronger than us, but I think we’ll be better technically.”

 

The Diamonds are hoping to make it two wins in a row at the Penny Cars Stadium, after seeing off Stranraer with a professional 2-0 win last weekend.

 

While the result was pleasing, Page says it doesn’t quite banish the nightmare of the previous weekend.

 

“Stranraer caused us a couple of problems in the first half which never really came to anything, but I felt we were very comfortable in the second half. 

 

“It didn’t make up for the disappointment of the Raith game, but it was the only thing we could do. You can’t dwell on results like that - obviously you can analyse mistakes and look to improve, but the only real thing you can do is go out and win the next game.”

 

So with an Irn Bru Cup visit from Sutton looming, does Page see the match as a distraction from league business?

 

“Coming off the back of a good win and looking to get some momentum, it would be good to carry on - but it’s not really a distraction.

 

“It’s a game we’re looking forward to, and a win would still breed confidence and be good for our momentum going back into the league campaign.

 

“Winning becomes a habit, so that’s what we want to do.”

 

Manager Stephen Findlay watched Sutton United beating Maidstone on Tuesday evening, and expects an exciting 90 minutes against the South Londoners.

 

“It looks like it’s going to be an old-fashioned cup tie - they’re a big, strong and very well organised team, comfortable on the ball and technically very good.

 

“We’ve got to believe in ourselves and the strengths that we’ve got, and I think we’ve got every chance of getting through to the next round.”

 

Scott Gallacher and Darryl Duffy continue to miss out for the Diamonds, but Findlay has an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.

 

Welsh referee Mark Petch will officiate the second round tie.