Lewis McGrattan says Airdrie want to right last season’s Dens Park wrongs as they kick off their competitive season with a Premier Sports Cup match against Steven Pressley’s Dundee.

Midfielder McGrattan is raring to go after an intense pre-season workout, and is glad to have some meaningful matches on the horizon.

“That’s what we want, isn’t it? Pre-season is just about fitness and getting back in with the boys.

“We’ve had a good three weeks, so everyone is fully focussed on Dundee and the cup campaign.”

As always there have been comings and goings over the summer, but McGrattan says that Airdrie’s new faces – Sean McGinty, Craig Ross, Adam Aird, Jamie Barjonas, Alex King and Euan Henderson – are hardly strangers.

“It’s mostly boys that we’ve played against. We all kinda know each other from playing against each other that often.

“They’ve adapted well, the new boys. I’ve been here a year now, so I can help them to settle in, but they’ve probably done it a million times before so they’ll be used to it!”

There have also been changes at Saturday’s opponents Dundee, most notably in the dugout as former Falkirk, Coventry City and Carlisle United boss Steven Pressley took over from the outgoing Tony Docherty.

Diamonds fans will be hoping for a more significant change as Airdrie look to put two cup drubbings at the hands of Dundee behind them.

The Dee were 6-1 winners in the second round of the same competition last season as an Airdrie side decimated by injury were further hampered by a red card early in the second half.

And thoughts of revenge were dispelled early on as the Diamonds made another trip to the City of Discovery for February’s Scottish Cup tie, the Dens Park side winning 4-0 on that occasion.

McGrattan says Saturday’s season opener is the perfect chance to correct those results.

“Obviously there’ll be new ideas with the new manager, but its a lot of the same players so we know we’ll be in for a tough game.

“These are the games we want to be involved in, against the better teams and better players, and it’s a chance to make up for last season up there.

“In the two games last year they beat us comfortably, so we’ll be looking to right that and hopefully get a positive result.”

And with three fixtures against lower-league opponents following the Dundee trip, Lewis is keen for Airdrie to qualify for the knockout stages for a third successive season.

“We’re focussed on getting through the group again. Obviously we managed it last year, and it’s a group where we feel that if we play to our full potential, we can get through.

“We’re starting off against the highest-ranked team in the group, so we’ll see how we get on in that one then take it from there.”

Manager Rhys McCabe knows how difficult a challenge his side faces – but hopes that the Diamonds can upset the odds with a strong display.

“First and foremost it’ll be a tough game, I think with Steven going in there he’ll want to hit the ground running.

“We’re going away to a top-flight club regardless, it’s going to be a really really tough game. I think maybe at home you’ve got a wee bit of an advantage, but it is what it is.

“We’ll be looking to go and put in a strong performance – if we go and take our chances and we’re ruthless and we play well on the day, then I think we’re a match for anyone. It’s just about taking our opportunities when we get them and being solid at the back.”

McCabe is without defenders Cammy Bruce (knee) and Aidan Wilson (groin), midfielder Dean McMaster (calf), and striker Aaron Reid (hamstring).

Defender Dylan MacDonald misses the game through suspension after being red-carded in the last Premier Sports Cup visit to Dens Park, but midfielder Chris Mochrie is expected to return after being rested for Tuesday night’s friendly match.

Referee David Dickinson only oversaw one match involving Airdrie last season – February’s 1-1 away draw with Partick Thistle.

Match tickets are available using the link below, and our DiamondsTV video (subscribers outwith the UK and Ireland) and audio (pay-per-match worldwide) streams are available.

Supporters travelling to the match are reminded that there will be no cash gate on the day – tickets must be bought online in advance. Airdrie fans should access sections A and B of the main using turnstiles 31 and 32.

Refreshment kiosks at Dens Park accept cash and card.

Supporters travelling by car are reminded of parking restrictions around Dundee – parking in the no-parking zone around Dens Park will result in a fine.