Airdrie kick off their Betfred Cup campaign against Partick Thistle this evening, and captain Marc Fitzpatrick says the Diamonds are relishing the challenge.

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It seems like no time at all has passed since last season came to a conclusion with a superb 3-0 at Ayr United, who went on to win promotion, but much has changed in that short spell.

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With head coach Eddie Wolecki Black making a phased return to the club following his illness, Kevin McBride has been promoted to first team coach as Airdrie begin life as a full-time outfit at their new Ravenscraig training base.

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A large turnover in playing staff was also inevitable, and it's a very different Diamonds team that will take to the field for tomorrow's season opener.

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Midfielder Fitzpatrick says the new Airdrie camp is a happy one.

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"The mood has been great, there seems to be a good chemistry between all the boys.

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"With the extra time we all spend together, we have bonded quicker as a team. Obviously there's also more time on the training field to work on the tactical side of the game as well as our fitness."

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"We're all looking forward to the new season. The new cup format brings its own excitement with the group stage, and playing against a team from the Premiership is a great challenge to start us off!" 

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Alan Archibald's Partick Thistle finished ninth in last season's Ladbrokes Premiership, but their top-flight experience gives them the edge in the eyes of the bookmakers.

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With a defence featuring ex-Airdrie loanee Liam Lindsay and new signing Ziggy Gordon, the Diamonds can expect a tough challenge to make their home advantage count.

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Fitzy thinks recent results elsewhere have shown that anything is possible.

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"Of course we can get something out of Fridays game, I think football this year - between Leicester and the Euros - has taught us that if you have the right work ethic and teamwork you can achieve anything. 

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"It's obviously going to be a very difficult game and one we will need to play at our best to get anything from, but we are certainly capable of it."

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New signings Andy Ryan, Iain Russell, Joe Gorman, Ryan Conroy, James Daly and Kevin Schmidt will all be hopeful of making a competitive debut for the Diamonds.

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As part of the new look League Cup format, tonight's match will be played to a finish. In the event of a draw, the match goes straight to penalty kicks with the winner taking two points.

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Also in Group E with Airdrie and Thistle are Queen's Park, Stenhousemuir and Queen of the South.

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The group winners automatically advance, and the four best runners-up across the group stages also go through to join Scotland's European representatives in the second round.

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Referee Kevin Clancy takes charge of the Diamonds' season opener, for which admission prices are reduced to £12 for adults and £6 for concessions.

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Please note, Partick Thistle fans will be seated in Sections A, B and C of the main stand. Entry for these sections is by turnstiles 1-4. The stadium bar will be open from 6pm for both sets of fans.

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Concessions are over 60s, under 16s, students and disabled fans. (Disabled and Carer tickets are £6 in total and these should be pre-ordered).