Jimmy Boyle will be hoping his players give him an early Christmas present – three points at home to Falkirk tomorrow.

​

The Diamonds and Steven Pressley's Bairns are separated by just five points in the Irn-Bru First Division standings.

​

Victory at New Broomfield would not only close that gap, it would also lift Airdrie out of the relegation play-off spot and above Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton Accies.

​

A busy festive period of fixtures sees the Diamonds scheduled to play five games in a fortnight and boss Boyle is focused on league survival.

​

"It's really tight in the First Division," the manager said. "We know we can climb the table if we produce two or three positive results in a row.

​

"It will be like this all the way through to the end of the season and how we do against those around us will be important.

​

"Our priority is staying in the First Division and it would be good to achieve that by having a go at teams."

​

The first half of the campaign has been challenging for the Diamonds but Boyle believes the squad available is capable of pushing higher up the table.

He added: "I think there are performances this season where we could have done a lot better.

 

"Some of the games we've played have been nowhere near good enough and that is why we are where we are."

​

Airdrie welcome back midfielder Jack Boyle and striker John Boyle after they were suspended for the 2-0 defeat to Morton last weekend.

​

Sean Lynch could be in line for a slot in the starting line-up. Forward Liam Buchanan is expected to make his home debut.