View from the dugout

PAUL HARTLEY

I would like to welcome everyone involved with Airdrieonians back to Balmoral Stadium for what is their second visit inside a week. As was the case the last time, we can expect a very competitive match.

I will start by acknowledging the part all of my staff have played in getting us to the play-offs. Working with my assistant, Gordon Young, is always a joy. He is different class on the training pitch.

Fitness coach Tam Ritchie and I go back a long way, so I knew he would be a big asset. He has played a key part in ensuring the players stayed fit in what has been the most challenging season they have probably faced in their careers.

Darragh Bourke, who helps Tam on match days and training nights, has also done a great job.

It was huge boost to secure Alan Combe to come in and help the goalkeepers and our strong defensive record is proof of that. We have Gary Hake too, I know I’m lucky to have such a talented coaching team.

All of the coaches have appreciated the support of Adrian ‘Edzer’ Thomson, our new kit manager, who certainly adds to the atmosphere in the dressing room.

PAUL HARTLEY

Security officer Bill Ogilvie and secretary Duncan Little have also been invaluable, as have our match analysts, Ryan Docherty and Derek Carr.

The biggest thank-you off all has to go to our two physiotherapists, Donal Gallagher and Eilidh McGregor. The amount of work they have put in over the season has been incredible.

It has involved giving up a lot of their own time too - Donal is at the stadium almost every evening treating players to help get them fit for the next game. Donal and Eilidh have shown real commitment and dedication and we wouldn’t have as many players to choose from at this stage were it not for their efforts.

It’s the players who deserve the most plaudits though. They have worked hard over the 22 game league season. It has been a stop-start season too.

We have come through a pandemic and also had to cope with playing in front of empty stadiums. That hurt every club financially, but the lack of atmosphere has been hard on the players as well.

The actual amount of games we had to play was cut back - and we ended with having to play four extremely challenging ones inside the space of a week right at the very end.

I’m very proud of the players for the way they have handled everything and maintained the desire to compete in what is a very tough league. They never moaned, they just got on with their business and made sure they were ready to go when required.

If someone had offered us a play-off place at the start of the season we would have grabbed it with both hands.

I’m delighted we now have the opportunity, over the next two games, to set up what would be an amazing end to the campaign.

We’re not there yet though. The players don’t need me to tell them our opponents this afternoon will be just as determined to come out on top.

It’s good that we’ve had a break in the lead-up to this one, it means the players will be fresh and ready, but they still have a big challenge ahead of them.

I know they will give it their best shot though, just as they have done throughout the season.

Stay safe and enjoy the game.

Paul Hartley

“If someone had offered us a play-off place at the start of the season we would have grabbed it with both hands.”