Scott Gallacher is delighted to be back in action, and says the Diamonds are ready to face his old club Dumbarton.

 

Goalkeeper Gallacher joined Airdrie in May 2018, having previously spent time on loan at the club in 2013.

 

Disaster struck last August when the goalkeeper suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a league match against Montrose, sidelining him for over a year.

 

Following a lengthy rehab and two reserve appearances, the 30-year-old made his first-team comeback in last weekend’s Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Cup win over Bohemians.

 

Gallacher was pleased to be back, and was keen to pay tribute to the head of the Diamonds’ medical department, John McMenemy.

 

“It’s brilliant to be back involved. John has come in and kinda put his neck on the line for me, because not many physios would have touched me after I’d had a bit of a setback!

 

“He’s been great though - he’s shown me absolutely no mercy, but it’s got me back to where I want to be.”

 

Much has changed at the club in the last 12 months, with a huge squad overhaul taking place over the summer, and manager Ian Murray replacing Stevie Findlay last October.

 

Gallacher feels that’s just the nature of the modern game.

 

“The boys went through a bit of a rut unfortunately, and that can happen in football. I thought everyone dealt with the managerial change well when it happened.

 

“It’s not nice to see anyone lose their job, but now Ian has come in and done well, and long may that continue.”

 

With David Hutton performing well and two promising young goalkeepers joining the club, Gallacher expects a healthy challenge for the role.

 

“You never know what’s round the corner, I’ve only played one game so I’m not getting carried away. David did really well when he came in, so it’s up to me to compete for that shirt.

 

“Reece [Willison] and Andy [McNeil] are coming on too. I knew Reece from St Mirren and he did well there and got rave reviews at Celtic, and Andy has loads of potential too. It’s a good bit of business by the club signing those two up.”

 

The battle for the number one spot commences on Saturday, when Airdrie visit a resurgent Dumbarton at the C&G Systems Stadium.

 

After a difficult start to the season, Jim Duffy’s side have won their last three league fixtures, and Scott expects a tough test against his old club.

 

“I’m looking forward to going back, there are a lot of nice people there and I had some good times at Dumbarton playing in the Championship. It’s always a hard game down there - wet weather usually comes into the mix too. They’ve kept a few good lads like Kyle Hutton and Stuart Carswell, so it’ll be tough for us.

 

“We’ve got some very good players too though - this dressing room probably has the best team spirit I’ve seen in all my time in the game, so we’re confident as always and looking forward to the match.”

 

Manager Ian Murray is ready to face the in-form Sons.

 

“They’ve rallied superbly and shown great togetherness to win their last three, but we go there after a cup win and a good point against Falkirk.

 

“The matches between us were very close last season with four league draws and a win for us in the cup, so we’re expecting a really tough match.”

 

The Diamonds have no injury concerns ahead of the tie, which is refereed by Steven Kirkland.

 

Dumbarton have advised that the Chivas Suite at C&G Systems Stadium, which has bar facilities, will be open to supporters from 1:45pm on Saturday. The suite is accessed via the away end turnstiles.