The Diamonds make their long-awaited return to the cinch Championship on Saturday, and Adam Frizzell expects the usual tight encounter with Dunfermline Athletic.

Both sides made the step up from League One at the end of last season, and although it was the Pars who won the title, there was little between the sides across their four meetings.

Airdrie are in familiar territory as they travel to East End Park for the season’s curtain-raiser, and the Diamonds are in good form as they come off a Viaplay Cup campaign which saw them finish with the country’s only 100% record.

Midfielder Frizzell missed the Group E finale against Bonnyrigg Rose through suspension, and didn’t enjoy watching from the New Dundas Park stand.

“I was more nervous, to be honest! I think everyone thought it was done and dusted, but look at the teams that finished on nine points and didn’t get through.

“It was a professional job and we got ourselves in the hat, and the real business starts on Saturday.”

With the trip to Dunfermline looming, Frizzell says that the three draws between the sides last season prove how close Saturday’s match is likely to be - although it was Dunfermline’s solitary win which sticks in the 25-year-old’s mind.

“I think the most entertaining one was here when we went down to ten men - it was probably one of the worst!

“Going there it’s a different ballgame. They’ll try to impose themselves on the game and we’ll do the same, so we’ll find out.

“Both teams have kept a similar squad. We were nip and tuck the whole of last season, and I’d imagine it’ll be the exact same again. It’ll be a full house, so we’re really looking forward to it.”

As James McPake’s side prepare to unfurl the cinch League 1 championship flag, a bumper crowd is expected at East End Park - but Frizzell is hopeful that the Diamonds support can make themselves heard.

“The fans have been amazing. Hopefully they can get right behind us this year, because they’re brilliant when they travel in their numbers - especially away from home.

“The noise they made at Hamilton was probably one of the reasons we managed to push it over the line. I hope they’re there behind us, because we’ll need it.”

And of course Adam may feel a little more responsibility toward the fanbase now, as he was appointed club captain in the summer.

“It’s a club I’ve fallen in love with since I got here. I’ve sort of rebooted my career, and I’m absolutely honoured to be the captain - especially going into such a historic season for the club.

“I’ll do my best to do them proud and try to finish as high as possible.”

Manager Rhys McCabe echoed his skipper’s thoughts about Saturday’s opponents.

“Dunfermline are a good side and deservedly got promoted - their record speaks for itself.

“They’re really tough opposition to play against home and away, but we were always in those games, there was never any games where they outclassed us or outbattled us.

“We’ve had a decent start to the campaign, but I’d imagine Dunfermline will be looking to impose themselves going into the Championship. There’s no easy games in this league.”

The Diamonds boss is pleased with the progress of former Pars strikers Nikolay Todorov (groin) and Gabby McGill (hamstring), stating that both will be monitored ahead of the game.

While Frizzell returns from suspension, goalkeeper Josh Rae misses the tie as he serves the second part of a two-match ban from his play-off semi-final red card.

Grant Irvine referees the season opener.

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