Football Season Guide

Airdrie enjoyed a strong 2020-21 campaign that they will be seeking to build on this time around. They finished last term extremely well and manager Iain Murray will hope to maintain that momentum into the current season. League Cup results have been modest, however, with draws against League One rivals Queen’s Park and League Two strugglers Annan. Given the turnover of players on their books, however, this was perhaps to be expected. Although Airdrie are set to play with the 3-5-2 formation that they frequently deployed at the end of the previous campaign, the personnel that they have available to them is significantly different. Importantly, the defence that was the bedrock of their success last time around remains largely the same, with Callum Fordyce and Josh Kerr set to anchor the team along with new addition Craig Watson. There are new wing-backs in the form of ex-Dumbarton pair Sam Wardrop and Rico Quitongo, while the midfield has been totally transformed, with only Dean Ritchie remaining. The signings that they have made are somewhat promising. Adam Frizzell blew hot and cold at Dumbarton but when on form was their outstanding player, while Scott Agnew has been a top player at this level for some time. Rhys McCabe drops down from Queen of the South and should be well equipped to play a big role. In attack, there are also alterations. Jordan Allan has returned to the club and Salim Kouider-Aissa has arrived from Livingston. Calum Gallagher is likely to be the main dangerman still. Furthermore, Dylan Easton’s arrival should add more creativity to the supporting cast, though how he and fellow winger Thomas Robert will fit into the 3-5-2 formation apparently preferred by Murray is questionable. Still, they offer another option to go 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 if needed. This is a strong team throughout, with a solid foundation, but they are perhaps lacking an outstanding player to give them an ‘X-factor’.