Darryl Duffy aims to get himself back into the Airdrie starting line-up - and fire the Diamonds to a play-off position.

 

The experienced frontman has been used sparingly in recent weeks, but has continued to prove his sharpness in front of goal with two strikes from the bench taking his total to ten for the season.

 

The Diamonds’ top scorer is happy with his contribution - but wants to grab a starting spot.

 

“Of course I’m desperate to get back in the starting line-up… I don’t think anyone grows up dreaming of being a sub and coming off the bench every week!

 

“Nobody’s ever happy being left out, but I suppose coming on and helping out if you can is probably the best consolation you can get if you’re not starting.”

 

Having had a consistently impressive strike rate throughout the years at home and abroad, Duffy is 13 goals away from a career total of 200.

 

The 34-year-old is pleased with this season’s haul - especially taking into consideration the amount of game time he has chalked up.

 

“I’m quite happy with ten so far - obviously I missed six weeks through injury and I haven’t started the last four games, so I’m pretty pleased with that figure considering I’ve missed quite a bit of football.”

 

Airdrie return to League One action at Stenhousemuir on Saturday, following last weekend’s 3-0 cup defeat to holders Celtic.

 

Duffy, who played the last fifteen minutes of the Celtic Park tie, says the Diamonds can be pleased with their performance.

 

“I thought the boys did well. It was never going to be a game where we were going to go and impose ourselves on them, but we worked hard and enjoyed the occasion. We didn’t disgrace ourselves at all - I thought we did League One and Airdrie proud. 

 

“If anything I think we should hold our heads high and puff our chests out after a fighting performance like that, it should give us a wee spring in our step going into the rest of the League One campaign.”

 

Saturday’s opponents Stenhousemuir will also be pleased with their cup exploits, taking Aberdeen to a replay after Mark McGuigan’s header earned the Warriors a 1-1 draw.

 

Darryl is hoping that can work in Airdrie’s favour.

 

“They got a great result, and they might have one eye on the replay in midweek. In football you look to take any advantage you can get, so if they’re a bit distracted we should look to capitalise on that.

 

“Regardless of that, with the run we’re on and the ambitions we have, we go there looking to win the game.”

 

Diamonds boss Ian Murray wants his side to kick off another winning streak.

 

“It’s another tough away game for us. It’s good to get back to league business after the cup, but we have to make sure we take our decent form into the push for the play-offs.

 

“We now have a very important run of games starting with this weekend, and we’re looking forward to it.”

 

Scott Gallacher remains sidelined through injury, and David Hutton’s condition is being monitored with the goalkeeper suffering from illness this week.

​

Saturday January 26, 2019

3:00pm

Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir

Refereee: Steven Reid

Assistants: Jordan Stokoe, George King

 

Click to enlarge infographic

Referee Steven Reid takes charge of his second Airdrie tie this season, having previously officiated August's home defeat to Montrose.