Airdrie go from facing the top two to a clash with bottom side Cove Rangers – and striker Josh Gentles is gunning for a turnaround in form for the Diamonds.

Defeats to Hamilton Academical and Ross County brought an end to an eight-match unbeaten run following an away draw with then third-placed East Kilbride, and Airdrie will look to get back to winning ways against Paul Hartley’s Cove.

Gentles opened his Diamonds account at the Bumblebee Stadium and grabbed another against Hamilton – and the Rangers loanee says it’s not all doom and gloom after a trio of disappointing results.

“Obviously we’ve had one draw and two defeats in the last three, so it’s not been great – but we have played three of the top four in the league table, so hopefully we can go from that and push again.

“For the first 85 minutes of the Hamilton game there was nothing in it, probably 1-1 would have been a fair result over the full game.

“Even up in Dingwall, the first 20-25 minutes you wouldn’t have said Ross County were the better team – but then after one goal it just went two and three. We’ll go again this weekend, and hopefully get three points.”

Having joined the club at the end of August, Gentles missed the first meeting with Cove Rangers – a goalless opening-day draw at the Balmoral Stadium – but he expects a typically tough match despite the Toonser’s position.

“Obviously there’s no easy games, no team is going to come here and make it easy for us to play. It’s a challenge, and hopefully we can get a win and get us on a run again.

“The next few games after that, there’s no reason why we can’t go on a little run of four or five in a row and get us right back up the table.”

And while results haven’t gone Airdrie’s way in recent matches, Gentles reiterates his belief that the Diamonds are still doing the right things.

“Even in the second half at East Kilbride, I think we missed two or three good chances with half an hour to go at 2-2, and then at Hamilton we give away two poor goals out of nothing.

“There’s no reason for the confidence to be down. We’ll be alright on Saturday.”

It’s been a busy spell for the Welsh youth international who, alongside fellow loanee Callum Burnside, had been returning to Rangers to participate in their B side’s KDM Evolution Trophy matches.

With the Ibrox side failing to progress from the group phase, the youngsters can now fully focus on Airdrie’s season.

Josh has been loving life at the Albert Bartlett so far.

“It’s been really good, I’ve enjoyed it. Obviously it took me three or four weeks to get in the team, but I feel like I’m doing well.

“I’ve still got a lot more to come as well, so hopefully I can keep on going, score a few more goals and chip in with a few assists to help the team as well.”

Head coach John Rankin is well aware of Cove’s strengths after the Aberdeen side’s performance earlier in the season.

“They’re a physical side, they’re experienced – we know that. Jordan White upfront has had a great career and he’s formidable when he’s in form, so we need to make sure that we match that.

“We’re expecting a side that’s hard to beat. Paul’s obviously experienced in what he does, he’s won things and he’s got that mentality.

“We need to be on the front foot, we need to be ready to go. We’re back at home and we need to pick up our form. It’ll be hugely competitive and we need to be ready for it, and I fully expect us to be.”

The Diamonds boss doesn’t have his troubles to seek on the injury front, with goalkeepers Jamie Sneddon (shoulder) and Ruairidh Adams (hip) sidelined, alongside midfielders Cole McKinnon (back) and Zac Butterworth (hamstring). Strikers Liam McLeish (foot) and Divine Iserhienrhien (head) also miss out.

Defenders Declan Gallagher (hip) and Dylan MacDonald (groin) continue to be monitored ahead of the match.

Referee Ross Birrell is in charge of his second Airdrie match this season, having previously officiated September’s 2-1 defeat at Queen of the South.

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