Dylan MacDonald insists Airdrie are in a better place to tackle Dundee in this week’s Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup fixture at the Scot Foam Stadium.

The Diamonds have already visited the Dark Blues this season, but it was a day to forget as a makeshift Airdrie side went down 6-1 to their top-flight hosts in the Premier Sports Cup second round.

MacDonald, who was shown the red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity on that August afternoon, hopes that his side’s recent form points to a more fortuitous visit to the City of Discovery this time round.

“The boys are confident. It’s three wins, and we’ve scored plenty of goals and not conceded many – so yeah, the boys are buzzing.

“I think just sticking together and waiting for it, eventually it’s come. Now we’ve gone on a good run, and hopefully we can keep that going.”

With Airdrie’s burgeoning injury crisis forcing manager Rhys McCabe to play two central midfielders in his back four on the last visit, few expected anything other than a comfortable home win – and that was how it played out, despite Adam Frizzell bagging a Goal of the Season contender for his side’s consolation.

Defender MacDonald expects another difficult encounter.

“It’ll be a very tough game. Obviously the last time we played them it wasn’t the best from us, but hopefully we can go there and give them a game this time. We know they’ll be a good side.

“We’ve got a few boys back now, which strengthens the squad. We’ve got nearly a full squad for the weekend.”

With the Diamonds on a three-match winning streak which began with the 5-1 defeat of Dumbarton in the previous round of the competition, fans could be forgiven for wanting another Championship match this weekend to follow on from wins over Dunfermline Athletic and Queen’s Park.

MacDonald feels the same, but believes a cup win could be even more beneficial to the squad’s morale, with Tony Docherty’s side coming into the match after difficult encounters with Hearts and Celtic – both of which ended as 6-0 defeats.

“It is exciting, but preferably it would have been the league to keep this good run going – but you never know with the cup, we could go there and get a shock.

“They could feel a bit leggy. They’re playing Celtic away, it’s a tough place to go, and hopefully we can capitalise on that.

“Getting through would be brilliant – for me, and obviously for the club as well!”

Manager Rhys McCabe is looking forward to pitting his wits against Premiership opposition once again.

“It’s a good opportunity. We know it’s going to be a difficult ask, but we’re coming off the back of a few positive results which obviously breeds a wee bit of confidence amongst the group.

“We’re fully expecting a tough game, and one that we’ll need to be at our best to get anything from.

“It’s a fresh challenge against good quality opposition, who a lot of boys at this level have maybe not come up against, and you get to test yourself against top-flight players. We’re really looking forward to it, and we’ll enjoy the game.”

The Diamonds boss is hopeful that Lewis Strapp’s should injury is less severe than first feared, but admits that the defender is a major doubt for Saturday. Aaron Reid expects to be available following an ankle injury, leaving only long-term injury victim Aidan Wilson on the sidelines alongside Strapp.

Cade Melrose and Cameron Rowley are cup-tied, but new loan signing Alex Bannon is available for selection.

Referee Euan Anderson returns to the fixture, having officiated the Premier Sports Cup meeting in August. The whistler also took charge of Airdrie’s home defeat to Hamilton Academical in November.

Supporters are advised that there will be no cash gate on the day, access is only available via the QR code on e-tickets bought in advance using the link below.

Fans should also be aware that a no-parking zone is in operation around the Scot Foam Stadium. Supporters travelling by car are advised that parking in this area will result in a fine.

Our DiamondsTV video (subscribers outwith the UK and Ireland) and audio (pay-per-match worldwide) streams are available.