Calum Gallagher grabbed the headlines with a wonder goal against Clyde, and now the striker wants to continue his own good record against East Fife.

 

Kurtis Roberts had drawn Airdrie level after going behind to an early goal last weekend when Gallagher was introduced from the bench with 11 minutes remaining.

 

The 24-year-old’s first involvement teed up Dale Carrick to put the Diamonds in front, but the former Rangers, St Mirren and Dumbarton man saved the best till last, controlling a Craig Thomson cross deep into stoppage time and firing an outrageous overhead kick into the top corner.

 

It’s fair to say Gallagher enjoyed the strike.

 

“As you can imagine I’ve probably watched it back more than anyone! When the ball came over I was wondering if it might be on, I knew there wasn’t long left in the game so when it popped up off the surface I went for it.

 

“We watched it back when we were doing analysis on Tuesday, and the reactions are almost as good as the goal - the ballboys going daft, Callum Smith with his hands over his mouth because he can’t believe it, and Dycey just battering me on the head about ten times!”

 

The goal was certainly worthy of the plaudits, but Gallagher felt that Thomson’s contribution was more deserving of the man of the match award.

 

“I felt really guilty about it to be honest - and I said that to Craig at the time because he was brilliant, probably the best any of us had played all season.

 

“His performance was driving us to win the game, and I think everyone knows he was man of the match so I’ll verbally pass on the award to him now!”

 

Gallagher was reunited with his old St Mirren boss Ian Murray over the summer, and his ability to play in a number of different positions has already proven to be useful in the early stages of his Diamonds career.

 

“I like to think I’m versatile enough to fill in and do a job wherever I’m required.

 

“In an ideal world everybody wants to play 90 minutes in their favoured position every week, but real life dictates that you have to serve the team and we’re lucky to have a lot of players who can do that.”

 

As Airdrie prepare to travel to Methil for a tricky tie against East Fife on Saturday, Calum is hopeful he can continue a good run against Darren Young’s side.

 

“East Fife are always a good outfit, they’re always organised and have good individual players. I know it’s a cliche, but we need to go and focus on ourselves on Saturday - if we go there and take the game to them we’re capable of getting a result.

 

“Last year at Dumbarton I scored in every game against East Fife, so hopefully I can continue that. We’re playing good football when it’s asked of us, so we have every reason to be confident.”

 

Manager Ian Murray is also looking forward to the match.

 

“We go there on the back of two good league wins and a cup win, so we’re in decent form.

 

“It’s a good feeling to be able to go there full of confidence, but we know we’re in for a hard game against a good side.”

 

Goalkeepers Scott Gallacher and Reece Willison have resumed light training, but the Diamonds boss confirmed that defender Adam Eckersley and midfielder Euan O’Reilly may be facing some time on the treatment table.

 

“Adam will be out for a few weeks with a tear in his groin. It’s a blow to lose a player of his quality, but we have Leon McCann to come in and Paul McKay did well on the left of a back three last week, so we’ve got options.

 

“Euan has a problem in his abdominal area, and it’s a case of wait and see. If it’s looking like it’s longer term, Euan may go back to St Johnstone for treatment.”

 

Referee Graham Beaton is the man in charge at the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium.

 

East Fife have provided some information for supporters ahead of the tie.