Robbie Mahon says Airdrie need to make amends for last weekend’s lacklustre derby display – and hope to do so when Ross County come to town this weekend.

The Dingwall side are bookies favourites to win the League 1 title and make an immediate return to the Championship, but the Diamonds will pay no heed to that as they aim to atone for a 4-0 derby defeat at the hands of Hamilton Academical.

Forward Mahon was in no doubt that last Saturday’s performance and result were unacceptable.

“Just not good enough, plain and simple. I think we were a bit naive, they’re a bit more experienced than us and I think they did what they wanted to do – made it a bit of a battle.

“We had good phases in the game, and they’re the little things that you have to do better with when you have the momentum. Away from home it’s never going to be easy, especially in a derby, so when we have those moments we just need to do better.”

As one of the players remaining from last season, Mahon has seen an almost entirely new squad built under the leadership of new head coach John Rankin.

The Irishman says that frank discussions took place in the aftermath of last weekend, and the squad are keen to show what they are capable of.

“We reflected yesterday, we had an open and honest conversation as a group about what we need to do better.

“We know Saturday is going to be a tough task, and we just have to nail down and get it done.”

“We need to show the fans that we care, and that we have that fight in us that we maybe lacked on Saturday. Hopefully come Saturday we’ll show them and we’ll give a good account of ourselves.”

Title favourites Ross County provide a stiff challenge as the Diamonds look to get back to winning ways, with Stuart Kettlewell’s side already flying high with a 100% record in all competitions.

As well as last weekend’s Premier Sports Cup shock against Dunfermline Athletic, the Staggies winning streak includes a 3-0 victory over Airdrie in the same competition.

Mahon was a second-half substitute in that match, and knows what the Diamonds are up against.

“Ross County have an experienced group. They’ve got good quality, but so do we. I think hard work – we showed it against East Kilbride, we have that nasty side to us – we need to bring that to our game as well.

“Bring it all together in the final third, maybe take our chances a bit more, and I think we’ll be fine.”

And when asked what the key factor in a positive Airdrie result would be, Robbie was in no doubt.

“Outwork them. I think it’s that simple, to be honest. We’ll have the fans hopefully on our side nice and early, so we just need to work harder than them.

“As I said maybe we’ve lacked a bit in the final third – add that to the game and I think we’ve got a right chance.”

Head coach John Rankin doesn’t think his opposite number will change a winning formula – leaving the Diamonds to find a solution to improve on July’s defeat.

“County have a lot of good players and a lot of experience within their squad, and when you look at the result they’ve just got against Dunfermline, their tails will be up and they’ll be ready to go.

“I don’t expect too much different, they’ve got a settled side. I expect a difficult game, one where we need to be at our top form.

“The effort and endeavour levels that we had against East Kilbride need to be mirrored, we need to be aggressive, disciplined, and not leaving gaps like we did against Hamilton.

“Lots to be worked on this week, but we’re ready to go for Saturday. We want to make sure that we’re winning games and start progressing and get ourselves up that table.”

Defender Mason Chisholm and midfielder Zac Butterworth remain sidelined for Airdrie, with strikers Dapo Mebude and Divine Iserhienrhien also still doubtful. Sam Fisher is hoping to be declared fit after sustaining an arm injury against Hamilton. Meanwhile, club captain Cole McKinnon has resumed light training following an ankle ligament injury.

Referee Cameron Stirling is in charge of Saturday’s match.

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