Luca Gasparotto found that things were a bit different as he returned from international duty - but the defender is keen to get on with the task of overcoming Ayr United. 

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The on-loan Rangers stopper traded Jamaican sunshine for Lanarkshire snow, and was disappointed to draw with Brechin City when his last-minute header could have won all three points. 

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"The trip away was a great experience. Although we didn't manage to qualify for the World Cup, it was a great experience being away and playing in a qualifying tournament. 

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"I played in 5 games against quality opposition and I thought I did quite well. I was also captain of the team so that was quite an honour too. 

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"It was a bit weird to go from playing in 35 degree heat to playing with snowbanks at the side of the pitch. 

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"I think the draw Saturday was a fair result. We didn't get playing until they scored their goal and I think after that we had a few chances to win including a header from myself in the last seconds. Credit to the keeper, it was an amazing save. 

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"It was disappointing to only come away with a draw and we will be looking to get back to winning ways against Ayr this weekend, trying to put in a good performance as well."

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The conditions weren't the only difference, as Gasparotto found himself partnering new signing Bryan Gilfillan following Ben Richards-Everton's return to Partick Thistle.

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"Me and Ben formed a good partnership over the few months that we played together and I'm looking to do the same with Bryan and Liam (Lindsay). 

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"Whoever plays at the back, they need to have a strong partnership and good understanding of each other. I enjoyed playing with Bryan at the weekend. He has experience and it was good to be playing alongside someone who can help you and talk to you through the game.

 

"I'm sure both me and Liam, being young, can learn a lot on and off the pitch from Bryan."

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With a trip to Ayr looming on Saturday, Luca recalls the Diamonds' last visit to Somerset, where his late equaliser set the scene for a stoppage-time winner from Jamie Bain.

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"I'm positive we can get a good result this weekend. We know it's going to be a tough game seeing as we've beaten them a few times already so we will all need to be up for a fight this weekend. 

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"Hopefully we don't leave it as late as last time we played there but the result is the most important thing. We want to get back to winning ways and push for a playoff spot."

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Liam Lindsay missed out on a Diamonds debut last week due to illness, but may feature on Saturday.

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Ayr have rung the changes since the clubs last met, swapping one ex-Diamond for another as Ian McCall took the reigns from outgoing boss Mark Roberts.

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Another former Airdrieonian, midfielder Scott McLaughlin, has also left the club as McCall brought in Jordan Preston and David Robertson.

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Colin Steven is the referee for Saturday's tussle.