Airdrie get a break

Airdrie United manager Jimmy Boyle gave his players the night off from training yesterday to ensure that they are more than ready for tonight’s first Friday night SFL fixture of the season against visitors Livingston.

Boyle explained: “We need the players to be really switched on for this game as Livingston will enjoy coming to our place as our surface will suit their passing game. They pass the ball for fun and if we let them do that they will keep it away from us all night.”

The Diamonds go into the contest on the back of a league win at Dumbarton and a 2-2 draw with Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup with spirits lifted after their recent 7-0 thumping at the hands of Partick. The hosts welcome back four players with David Lilley, Cameron MacDonald, Scott Sally and Sean Lynch available again.

Livingston travel west looking for both revenge and an end to the inconsistency of performance that has dogged their season so far. The Lions lost 2-0 to their hosts when the sides met at West Lothian in August and with two wins, two draws and two defeats in their last six league games manager John Hughes is hoping that his men put in a high level of performance for a full 90 minutes.

Hughes, who will serve the second game of a touchline ban, said: “I am looking for us to get our passing game going.”

Recent Scotland Under-21 cap Stefan Scougall has been ruled out through injury. however Livingston welcome Kevin McCann back from a ban.