Airdrie gaffer and fans inspired us to promotion, says Gabby McGill

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Airdrie striker Gabby McGill says boss Rhys McCabe was a real inspiration to the Diamonds, as he hammered home exactly what promotion meant to the fans.The Diamonds had been stuck in League One for 10 years and had lost out in the previous two Championship play-off finals in a row.However, on this occasion they drew 2-2 on aggregate with Hamilton Accies before beating them 6-5 in a penalty shootout, and 2000 Airdrie fans exploded with joy.The English striker, who scored the last-gasp leveller to put the tie into extra-time, says the gaffer left them in no doubt.“That was one of the gaffer’s main talking points before the game,” said McGill.“He knows us all as individuals, and what our aspirations may be in our careers.“But he really made it clear to us, that this was our seventh play-off final, and third in a row.“He made it clear about what it really means to the fans, and where Airdrie Football Club really should be as a whole – and it’s definitely not in League One.“Going out onto the pitch, we all knew exactly what it meant to the club, to the fans, and to ourselves as well.“It’s unbelievable, the fact that we managed to get it done.“There were 2000 fans there and that was absolutely brilliant.“For the fans to turn up like they did, and make themselves heard especially, it really does give the players a boost when they need it the most.“We had boys who had played five games in two weeks, so there were a lot of tired bodies and minds.”Having played in last year’s heartbreaking play-off final defeat against Queen’s Park, McGill admits there was some unfinished business on his part.He said: “When I signed again for the season just past, Brian Smith the Diamonds TV guy said ‘is there a bit of unfinished business, coming