Airdrie v Inverness: Ross County showing can boost our young Diamonds to kick on in Championship, says McCabe

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Airdrie player/boss Rhys McCabe reckons his young charges can take huge belief from going toe-to-toe with Premiership Ross County in the Viaplay Cup last week.And he is challenging them to take that forward into Saturday's Championship clash with another Highland side.Inverness Caley Thistle come calling on Saturday with the Diamonds licking their wounds from an agonisingly extra-time exit to the Staggies, where they fought back from 3-1 down and ended up losing 4-3 in the additional period.

Airdrie - who this week sold 19-year-old talent Justin Devenny to Crystal Palace - had youth at the heart of their squad last week, with teens Dean McMaster, Lewis McGregor, Murray Aiken, Elliot Dunlop and Josh O'Connor all playing their part.

And McCabe said: "Every game is tough in this league so it is just about making sure we recover well from going to extra-time at the weekend, a couple of sore knocks and what not."We need to make sure we get the boys right mentally and physically."But I think our performance will give the boys a lot of belief."We are a young squad, there's no shying away from that.

I've got a 19-year-old in the middle of the pitch in Dean McMaster, we've got Murray Aiken setting standards there, Elliot Dunlop coming on and Josh O'Connor winning the penalty and scoring for us a few minutes later."These guys are all under 20 so they will take a lot from the Ross County game in that they can compete at that level."We are giving them the opportunity to do what we are asking of them but, at the same time, they need to make sure that when they get that chance, they grab it."Airdrie have already beaten the Caley Jags this season, earning a 3-2 win in the Highlands during the group stages of the Viaplay Cup last month.