Euan Deveney wants Airdrie’s unbeaten run to continue against Kelty Hearts - and to drive the Diamonds towards the cinch League 1 promotion places.

A late equaliser against Peterhead last weekend made it three without defeat after an unusually poor run of results for Airdrie, and Rhys McCabe’s men welcome the League 1 new boys to the Excelsior this weekend hoping to make it four.

Defender Deveney, who turned 20 earlier this week, is pleased to be playing a part in the Diamonds’ upturn in form after a few games on the sidelines.

“It’s good to be back in the team after a short spell on the bench. I just want to help the team and play well, so I’m happy with myself.

“I don’t think anybody likes it, but at the same time it’s not up to myself - I can’t choose if I play or I don’t play, but I’m always going to be a team player.”

The former Kilmarnock youngster has been back in the starting XI as wins over Montrose and Clyde ended a run of six without a win before Saturday’s late drama against the Blue Toon.

And ahead of next week’s break for Scottish Cup third round action, Deveney wants to continue getting points on the board.

“It was disappointing to draw at the weekend. I felt we should have won the game, we had ample opportunity, especially in the second half.

“On a personal note I thought I did okay, I can play better as I’ve shown in the weeks before that - I enjoyed Montrose at home, I enjoyed Clyde away… it’s always nice to play against a former club!

“We just want to keep the momentum going as a team, that’s three unbeaten so we want to make it four and five and just push up that table.”

The adventurous left-back also had a word of praise for the Diamonds fans, who have continued to back the side in impressive voice.

“It helps everybody. You can see it in the stands, the fans want the best for us and we want the best for the fans. We want to put on a show and play good football.

“It’s brilliant when you hear the fans shouting your name or spurring you on to go forward.”

With the attention turning to Saturday’s visit of Kelty Hearts, the Diamonds will be looking to make amends for a disappointing performance at New Central Park in October when an 85th-minute goal by substitute Alfredo Agyeman secured the points for John Potter’s side.

Euan says the Diamonds’ home form - and the Excelsior pitch - will make Saturday’s match a different prospect.

“I think Kelty away was a tough game. It’s a tough place to go, it’s a tight pitch.

“It’s a completely different setting here - it’s a big pitch and we’re at home. They’re a tough opponent, but we owe them one - there’s no question about that.

“When you look where we are in the table, we need to win - there’s no getting away from that, but we’re at home again and though we’d have liked to get three points on Saturday, it’s on to the next.”

Manager Rhys McCabe says the defeat at Kelty earlier in the season illustrates how difficult this weekend’s match will be.

“We’ve only played Kelty once, but that experience was enough to tell us that it’ll be a tough game.

“As always we’ll look to go into the game on the front foot to try and get the three points, but as always we know we’ll have to be at our best.”

The manager was pleased to report that goalkeeper Josh Rae and midfielder Adam Frizzell continue to stay ahead of schedule in their fitness progress, while Gabby McGill will face late checks to determine whether any involvement on Saturday is likely. Callum Smith is available having suffered no ill effects from a knee knock sustained at the weekend.

Referee Colin Steven is in charge of his second Airdrie match this season, having previously officiated September’s 1-0 SPFL Trust Trophy defeat at Alloa.

Match tickets and streaming details are available using the link below.