Lewis Gibson expects a tough test against Stirling Albion, and stresses the importance of a fast start if the Diamonds are to continue their winning form in the KDM Evolution Trophy group stage.

The Forthbank side visit the Albert Bartlett Stadium on Tuesday evening, having already claimed a League 1 scalp with a 4-2 win over Cove Rangers on matchday one.

At the same time, winger Gibson was making an eye-catching start for Airdrie, grabbing a debut goal in a 3-1 win at Dumbarton.

Steven Whittaker’s side may include some familiar faces to Diamonds fans, with ex-Airdrie players Andy McNeil and Jordan Allan among their squad – and Gibson is also well acquainted with some of the Binos.

Speaking after Saturday’s defeat to Ross County, he looked ahead to Tuesday’s match.

“I know a couple of the boys at Stirling, and they’re a good side. They’ve recruited well in the summer and they’ve got a good coach behind them.

“I feel like they will be really tough to break down, they’ll probably sit behind more than what County did – they were more end-to-end – but I feel like Tuesday will be them sitting in and we’ve got to break them down.”

The 21-year-old former Raith man has made an impressive start to his Airdrie career with two goals in his first three matches, and he wants the Diamonds to make a similar early impact on Tuesday’s fixture.

“The first goal in football can win you the game sometimes, if you get the first goal then it’s in your hands – you can lose the game from there or you can win it from there.

“If we go out there and start sharp, there’s no reason why we can’t run away with it.”

And despite a difficult start to the League 1 campaign, Gibson has already seen enough to suggest that he and his new team-mates can push for promotion this season.

“This team’s got enough to get in the top end of the table, the play-offs. With the quality we’ve got there’s no reason why we can’t.

“I feel like we’ve shown good understanding amongst each other for the short time we’ve been together, so it’s just keeping that progress and then we’ll be smoother and know what each other are going to do.”

With three points already in the bag following the win at Dumbarton, Lewis says victory on Tuesday could serve as a springboard to success after Saturday’s disappointing loss.

“It’s bouncing back, you don’t want to dwell on it. The games come so fast now, especially with this cup, so it’s just bouncing back.

“Get a good result on Tuesday, take it into next Saturday, and then go from there.”

Head coach John Rankin hinted at changes for the KDM Evolution Trophy match, citing the good performances of Cole Williams and Divine Iserhienrhien in the opening fixture.

One enforced change will involve Gavin Gallagher, who faces a spell on the sidelines with a hip flexor injury. He joins Mason Chisholm and Zac Butterworth on the injury list, with Cole McKinnon and Dapo Mebude closing in on a return to action.

Colin Steven referees a match involving Airdrie for the first time this season.

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