Callum Burnside wants last weekend’s win to catapult Airdrie up the League 1 table – but the on-loan midfielder knows that Peterhead will provide a tough test on Saturday.

The Diamonds finally got the monkey off their back with a deserved first league win against Alloa Athletic at the Albert Bartlett, with winger Burnside playing his part in an impressive attacking performance.

The loan Ranger hopes that the victory can be a catalyst for a winning run.

“I think now it should be a momentum builder – we should go and try to get two, three, four wins on the bounce, and then hopefully that should just kick-start our season from there.

“It’s definitely more positive. You could see in training the boys were buzzing, especially on Monday.

“I think the past few weeks the performances were getting better, it was just a matter of time and we were going to get that win. I think now that we have got a win we’re just going to kick on.”

Having joined the club just over a month ago, Burnside has settled into the squad quickly while also representing Rangers B in the KDM Evolution Trophy.

The 19-year-old is relishing his busy schedule.

“I’ve loved it. Obviously playing in the league last year, I was eager to kick on again and hopefully do better, so yeah – I’ve enjoyed it.

“I enjoy going back to Rangers, but I think after a win the place is happy, so everyone’s eager to get playing on Saturday again.”

That sees a first trip to Balmoor Stadium since January 2023, when Calum Gallagher, Callum Smith, and Charlie Telfer grabbed the goals in a 3-0 Airdrie victory.

The Diamonds were even more rampant two months later, firing seven past the Blue Toon without reply as they marched toward a successful Championship play-off.

Burnside, who faced the Aberdeenshire side with Alloa last season, expects a much more resilient opponent this time round.

“I went up to Peterhead last year and it was a tough game, every time I’ve played them it was tough.

“It’ll be another tough game – especially when it’s grass and we’re used to astro, but I think it should be good.

“I think beating Alloa, another top team in this league, that just fills us with a lot of confidence to go and kick on and hopefully get another win.”

And having teed up Liam McLeish for Airdrie’s goal at Queen of the South a fortnight ago, Callum will be delighted if he can be the provider again this weekend – or better still, get on the scoresheet himself.

“Last year I got a few goals, so this year I’m looking to add assists to my game as well. 

“So far I’m getting the opportunity to do that. Hopefully the goals come as well!”

Head coach John Rankin also wants to build momentum while warning that the Blue Toon will be no pushovers.

“It’s going to be a tough game – one that we’re up for the challenge and one that we’ll be prepared for.

“We’re looking forward to it. When you get that winning feeling you want to go into the next one straight away – we’ve won at home twice in the space of a week and we need to go and try to build on that.

“We need to go there and make sure that we roll our sleeves up and do all the fundamental things – pick up second balls, win individual battles, and be prepared to fight against a team that are well-drilled and aggressive in their style of play.”

The Diamonds boss was keeping his cards close to his chest regarding squad availability, citing “a few knocks” requiring assessment before the match.

Mark Daly is the referee for the Balmoor clash.

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.