Latest news with #Monklands
Daily Record
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe: 7-0 derby win wasn't as important as building fitness
The Diamonds ran riot against their Lowland League neighbours Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe shrugged off a 7-0 Monklands derby win over Albion Rovers and insists the result is irrelevant at this stage of the summer. A sparkling performance from the Diamonds saw them run riot at New Broomfield, with goals from Lewis McGrattan, Sean McGinty, Craig Ross, Chris Mochrie, Cammy Cooper (2) and Dylan MacDonald. But McCabe says coming through another game unscathed – following a 2-1 defeat against Welsh side Penybont last week – was m ore important than defeating their neighbours from the Lowland League. He said: 'At this time of the season the result is irrelevant. 'I was pleased to get boys minutes, to get through the game with no injuries is a big plus, and it was a well worthy exercise, especially in that first half. 'I know [Rovers boss] Sandy Clark really well, and he has a young, energetic side, with a lot of trialist who had a lot to prove, so in terms of the intensity of the game and how it was played I was really pleased. 'We looked to improve on last week, which was our first game back after the summer, after loading the boys' legs, in terms of their fatigue levels, and then building on that again – could we add a bit more quality. 'We knew the fitness has been pretty much drilled into them from pre-season, so I thought there were loads of good things, the young boys came on and kept that freshness really well.' McCabe added: 'The result, for me, is irrelevant, but I was really happy with the performance levels, energy levels, and everything that we had targeted before the game. 'It's probably a good guide for our young boys, to experience what a match tempo is like and how quickly the ball needs to move, as opposed to academy or in training. 'It was a really good exercise for both teams. Albion Rovers' boys will have sen the level we're operating at, and that's something they're trying to strive towards. 'But in terms of the game itself, it never really felt like a pre-season game,. I've played enough of them in my career where it's a bit slow and lethargic, but I think there was great intensity in the game and for both sides it was a worthy exercise.' Airdrie have a bounce game against Premiership side St Mirren on Tuesday, and McCabe said: 'Hopefully that will get the boys a little bit sharper than what they were on Saturday, which was really good, and gradually improve every week.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Airdrie announce Ben Wilson exit as striker joins The New Saints for club record fee
Striker Ben Wilson has completed a move from Airdrieonians to The New Saints in a club record fee for the Welsh side. The 23-year-old striker has joined the side the Diamonds defeated in the 2024 SPFL Trust Trophy final for an undisclosed fee, although it is understood to be worth six figures to Airdrie. Advertisement Wilson made a big impression when he arrived in Monklands last summer, netting a hat-trick on his competitive debut in a thumping 8-0 win over East Kilbride in the Premier sports League Cup. He also netted in each of his first four games for the club. READ MORE: Airdrie 'accept' six-figure fee for star striker Ben Wilson READ MORE: I went from Airdrie benchwarmer to FA Cup winner – I'd have laughed at the thought a couple of years ago But the former Cliftonville man has now completed a switch to the Welsh Premier side, who unveiled the striker with an announcement video this afternoon. A club statement from Airdrie read: "Following a successful season in the Championship, striker Ben Wilson has moved to Welsh side TNS for an undisclosed fee. "Northern Irish frontman Wilson notched 17 goals in his solitary season at the Albert Bartlett Stadium, finishing as the side's top scorer following his move from Cliftonville last June. "The 23-year-old's exploits caught the eye of Cymru Premier champions TNS, who were keen to add to their firepower ahead of another European campaign. "We wish Ben the best of luck as he begins a new chapter in his career, and we thank him for some big moments in the season past."
