Josh Campbell is looking for a turnaround in Airdrie’s form - starting this weekend against Brechin City.

 

The midfielder joined on loan from Hibernian in January, and is happy to be picking up valuable experience with the Diamonds.

 

“I’m enjoying my time here, everyone’s been great and it’s good to get some first team football under my belt.

 

“Hopefully I can help Airdrie while I’m here, as well as gaining experience to take back to Hibs.” 

 

Campbell may have joined to help the Diamonds reach their target of the League One promotion play-offs, but in only his third game for the club he was pitched into a William Hill Scottish Cup match in front of 30,000.

 

“It was a good experience playing against Celtic. That’s the sort of game you want to be taking part in as a young player.

 

“It was quite an intimidating atmosphere, but I enjoyed every minute of it.”

 

Results haven’t gone Airdrie’s way since the cup tie at Celtic Park - a home draw against Dumbarton coming between defeats at Stenhousemuir and Forfar.

 

Campbell is at a loss to explain the downturn in form after the Diamonds had won three in a row before the cup fixture.

 

“I honestly don’t know the reasons for it - but we know it’s not good enough and we’re confident we can turn things round, starting this weekend.

 

“The wind was bad at Forfar, but it’s the same for both teams so we’re not trying to use that as an excuse. They just took their chances in front of goal, and we didn’t.”

 

Airdrie take on another Angus side this weekend, with Brechin City the visitors to the Penny Cars Stadium.

 

The sides have met twice already this season, with the away team winning on each occasion.

 

City were triumphant in October, an Andy Jackson double and a goal from ex-Diamond Sean Burns turning things round after Joao Victoria had given Airdrie the lead.

 

There were managerial changes at both clubs before the next meeting, with Barry Smith and Ian Murray replacing Darren Dods and Stevie Findlay in the dugouts. Murray drew first blood as the Diamonds won at Glebe Park in December, Darryl Duffy grabbing the only goal from the penalty spot.

 

Josh thinks the trend is typical of the current League One campaign.

 

“It just shows how unpredictable this league is. I expect it to be a close game on Saturday, because they all are - but hopefully home advantage can go in our favour this time and the fans can help us to get through the game and get the three points.

 

“We all feel that we owe the fans a win after recent performances. We’ll be doing our best to get that for them on Saturday.”

 

Manager Ian Murray wants to see more of a cutting edge from his side.

 

“If we want to be near the top, we need to beat the bottom three or four teams consistently, and we haven’t done that this season. We’ve got the players to do it, but we need to be more ruthless. 

 

“We’ve got quality players up front, and if we can get the ball to them and support them we should be fine.”

​

Saturday February 16, 2019

3:00pm

Penny Cars Stadium, Airdrie

Refereee: Barry Cook 

Assistants: Stuart Hodge, Richard Murray

 

Click to enlarge infographic

The Diamonds boss confirmed that Kyle Wilkie (ankle) will remain sidelined alongside Scott Gallacher (cruciate). Kieran MacDonald is available for selection after missing the Forfar match with a hamstring strain.

 

Barry Cook referees his first Airdrie match of the season.