Airdrie travel to face recently-promoted Kelty Hearts this weekend, and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair says the Diamonds must pick up where they left off in the league campaign.

Last week saw Friday night football at Alloa as the Wasps were victorious in the SPFL Trust Trophy, but a more conventional weekend now awaits the Diamonds as they look forward to a 3:00pm Saturday kick-off and a return to cinch League 1 duty.

Following an impressive 5-0 win over Clyde last time out, Airdrie make the trip to New Central Park to take on the League 1 new boys, and Taylor-Sinclair is hoping for another victory after making his debut against the Bully Wee.

The defender joined the club at the start of the month following a successful trial period, and is happy with the start to his Excelsior career.

“I’ve enjoyed it, just coming back in and having regular training, full-time football again - playing a couple of matches as well, it’s been all positive.

“It was good for me to play in front of the home fans and get that win against Clyde, coming off the back of the disappointing result against Edinburgh.

“The cup game was disappointing, but we need to look forward to the league again.”

With midfielder Charlie Telfer also joining this month, Rhys McCabe has added a couple of experienced heads to his squad, and 31-year-old Taylor-Sinclair is hoping to share the wisdom gained over a solid career north and south of the border.

“This squad’s very good, I’ve been very impressed the last three or four weeks I’ve been in.

“Dycey keeps reminding me that I’m the oldest player now, so I need to bring that experience onto the training field and the pitch!”

Last Friday’s match at the Indodrill was certainly a game of two halves, with Airdrie unable to capitalise on a host of good chances in a dominant opening period, whereas substitute Conor Sammon was on hand to take advantage of the home side’s pressure after the break.

The Diamonds management took the opportunity to rest some legs and give game time to those who needed it, and Taylor-Sinclair put in a composed defensive display alongside Craig Watson.

“Friday there was boys that hadn’t been playing, so it was maybe a bit rusty to begin with - although in the first half I thought we played well and maybe died off in the second half, but it was good to get those partnerships going.

“You’ve just got to play on the Saturday and hopefully you do well enough to stay in the team. The most important thing is that the team gets victories and we can push up the league.”

And with the campaign restarting with the trip to Kelty, Aaron says the Diamonds are concentrating on the three points.

“I’ve played a few reserve games there, but nothing like actual first-team football so this’ll be my ‘first game’ up at Kelty.

“I know a few of their players, I’ve played with a few as well. I think they’re quite an experienced side for the division, but we’ll be looking there to get the victory.

“It’s just a case of getting back to it. Full focus has to go on the league now, and hopefully we can do that come Saturday.”

Player-boss McCabe hopes that the victory over Clyde can prove to be a springboard for another good Airdrie run.

“I know John Potter really well, he’ll have them organised and they’ve got some good individual players. They won the league at a canter last year and they’ve kept a lot of their squad.

“It’s important that we go there and put on a performance and get the three points”

Josh Rae continues to miss out for the Diamonds as the goalkeeper begins his recovery from a shoulder operation.

It’s a first Airdrie game of the season for referee Steven Kirkland. Match ticket information is available using the link below.