JIMMY BOYLE says the international break was nothing of the sort for Airdrie.

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There were no league fixtures at the weekend due to Scotland's Euro 2012 qualifier with Liechtenstein in Vaduz.

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But the Diamonds players were kept ticking over after four friendly matches were staged at New Broomfield in less than a week.

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Airdrie welcomed Drumchapel Amateurs to the stadium last Monday night before the under-19s got a run-out 24 hours later.

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Paul Hartley's Alloa Athletic were next up on the Thursday ahead of a game with a Celtic XI, featuring South Korean full-back Cha Du Ri and ex-Diamond Tony Watt, at the weekend.

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Boss Boyle says the results were unimportant and revealed that giving his players vital game-time was the coaching staff's priority.

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He said: "It was a good few days for us and we kept ourselves busy with a number of matches which particularly helped those who haven't been playing every week.

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"We played Drumchapel and then arranged a game for the under-19s the following night.

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"Both ourselves and Alloa played 'mix and match' teams last Thursday and that was a good workout for us.

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"All of our younger players then played Celtic and that was a fantastic experience for them."

 

Boyle was impressed with former player Watt and added: "He did very well and looked really sharp. "You can see that he's developed in the past few months and I'm sure it will come for him very soon."

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The Diamonds return to Second Division action this weekend when they travel to Glebe Park to face Brechin City.