Gabby McGill believes Airdrie’s flowing football can unlock any opposition - including Premiership side St Mirren who visit the Excelsior on Tuesday evening.

The Diamonds have four points so far in Premier Sports Cup Group E, although the stats from last week’s 1-1 draw with FC Edinburgh suggest the Diamonds were somewhat unfortunate in front of goal.

Striker McGill says that although the final score was disappointing, Rhys McCabe’s side showed as much promise as they had in the 3-0 win over Cowdenbeath.

“I think everyone can see the style of football that we want to play. We were definitely the most dominant team against Edinburgh, but unfortunately the result didn’t show that.

“We’ve got a lot of things still to brush up on, but I think overall the style of play and the stuff that the gaffer wants us to do, we’re executing well.”

With Justin Devenny netting his second goal in as many games, last week’s match was tied at 1-1 when Airdrie were awarded a 52nd-minute penalty - which McGill crashed against the upright.

“I did what I always do in training, sent the keeper the wrong way, and instead of just rolling it in I’ve decided to put a bit behind it and it’s hit the post.

“It was obviously devastating, and if that had gone in I feel like we get two or three more and the game’s done.”

Weekend results saw Arbroath top the Group E table after a 3-1 win over Edinburgh, and left the Diamonds looking for positive results in their final matches to stand a chance of qualifying.

That begins with the visit of Stephen Robinson’s St Mirren on Tuesday. The Buddies lost on the opening day thanks to a late Arbroath goal, but got back in the hunt with a 2-0 win at Cowdenbeath on Saturday.

Gabby is looking forward to the chance to measure up against top-flight opposition.

“We want to test ourselves and play the best teams we can, and with them being in the Premier League it’s going to be a tough test for us - but there’s no reason we can’t still implement our style of football and get the best result we can.

“We know what we need to do to get through the group. Tuesday night was a bit of a blow, but any game we turn up to we want to win - and we’re going to try to do that on Tuesday night for sure.”

Manager Rhys McCabe believes that the visit of the Paisley men will give a good indication of his own side’s progress.

“There’s no better game to go and test yourself against players that are playing in the top league. It’s a good marker for the boys to realise what these guys do really well, and what we’ve been working on.

“The main thing is that we build on each performance, and each game we get stronger and stronger leading up to that first game of the season.”

The Diamonds player-boss hopes to welcome Dean McMaster back to training soon after the midfielder, himself on loan from St Mirren, picked up a leg knock in the opening match at Links Park. Striker Calum Gallagher missed the FC Edinburgh match through illness, and expects to be back in contention for Tuesday’s match.

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