Gavin Gallagher believes that Airdrie aren’t far from kickstarting a turnaround in form, and hopes that hard work on the training pitch translates into three points against Partick Thistle on Saturday.

The Diamonds close off a triple header of pre-Christmas home matches with this weekend’s tie against the Maryhill side, having drawn 2-2 with Morton before a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Livingston on Tuesday evening.

Midfielder Gallagher feels the midweek scoreline was particularly harsh after a good opening spell for Airdrie.

“I thought the first 30-35 minutes we were very good. We were the team looking like we were going to score, and then obviously they go up and score against the run of play.

“Second half we came out kind of eachy-peachy until they got their second goal, and then it was just backs against the wall from then.

“It probably comes down to a confidence thing, when we’re not scoring as much. The main thing is we’re creating the opportunities, we just need to work on putting them away. I’m sure that will come soon enough.”

After a four-week spell on the road, a rare hat-trick of home ties has fallen for the Diamonds, with the Livingston match rearranged after the original fixture had been postponed.

Although a win has eluded Airdrie so far this week, Gallagher is pleased to see an improvement in terms of performance – and is looking forward to another quick turnaround.

“We’re looking forward to every single game that comes, and we’re thankful that it’s Saturday/Tuesday/Saturday. We just need to get the game out of our head as quick as we can and then look forward to Partick.

“Hopefully we’ll carry what we did in the first half into both halves – and hopefully get the three points.”

Saturday’s visitors also have a defeat to Livingston as their most recent result, having fallen 2-0 to the Lions in last weekend’s Friday night fixture.

With an impressive run of form preceding the Almondvale defeat, Kris Doolan’s fourth-placed side will remain confident ahead of Saturday’s match, but Gallagher believes the result could simply come down to who performs better on the day.

“They’ve come off the back of a loss as well, so they’ll want to come here and put things right – like we do.

“We’re the home team, hopefully we can just go out there and be better than them, and win the game.”

And with good cheer hard to come by in recent times, Gavin is aware of the impact that a Christmas gift of three points could have.

“We work on it every single day we come in here. We’re not happy with the place that we’re in – no-one is around the club, or the players.

“We just need to keep doing what we’re doing on the pitch in training, carry it into the games, and I’m sure we’ll be fine.

“With players coming back it gives the squad confidence as well.”

Manager Rhys McCabe hopes to turn recent improved performances into a victory on Saturday, but expects the usual stern test from the Jags.

“Partick have been on a good run of form, with a few players missing they’ve managed to grind out results and keep themselves at the top end of the table.

“We’re under no illusions – Partick Thistle are an experienced side in the Championship, so we know that it’s going to be a difficult game regardless.

“We’re hoping that we can go and try to use the positive elements of the last few games, and try to use those moments to put in a good performance on Saturday.”

Defender Luke Badley-Morgan has joined the Diamonds' casualty list after sustaining a knee injury during Tuesday’s match.

While Dylan MacDonald, Murray Aiken, and Aaron Reid remain sidelined, the outlook elsewhere continues to brighten with Cammy Bruce and Dean McMaster aiming to be available for Saturday’s squad.

McCabe himself, Mason Hancock, Aidan Wilson and Liam McStravick have all stepped up their training programmes as they near a return, and striker Ben Wilson will face late checks after missing Tuesday’s match through illness.

Saturday’s match official Peter Stuart has refereed one other match involving Airdrie this season, October’s 1-1 home draw with Dunfermline Athletic.

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