Airdrieonians manager John Rankin has appealed to the club board to bring in more experienced players before the transfer window closes, revealing he has even joined in at training to set an example for his young squad.
The Diamonds suffered back-to-back League One defeats on Saturday, following a 4-0 derby loss to Hamilton Accies with a 3-1 defeat to Ross County, where Liam McLeish scored their only goal.
Rebuilding after relegation
New boss Rankin has had to completely rebuild the squad over the summer following the club's relegation from the Championship. Apart from new player/assistant Declan Gallagher – the former Scotland international and Motherwell defender – a host of youngsters have been brought in to form the nucleus of the squad.
Rankin acknowledges there is room for improvement in the current crop but believes much more experience is required to help them develop.
Board support needed
Asked if more experience was needed after Saturday's loss, he told Lanarkshire Live Sport: “I am not shying away from it. We have tried to get a core of experienced players in during the summer and we are still trying to get that in to help the younger ones through.
“But these things come at a cost. Financially, we are in a good position and that is a credit to the owners and the board. We don’t want to stretch ourselves too much.
“Listen, I am not chapping the door wanting massive amounts of money. But I think if we get two or three experienced ones in it would certainly help us.
“I think Declan coming in [on Saturday] certainly shows that. Him being able to manage certain incidents.
“We are only going to get better if we can get more experienced ones in.”
Training ground involvement
On recent training sessions, he added: “I have found myself, at times, joining in at training to instruct and get a voice in there, just to try and give them a wee bit of that and get them used to it.
“They will grow. They are young boys and we need a bit of help for them. But, listen, I am not complaining.
“It is what it is just now and I am sure we will continue to improve.”
Airdrie host East Fife on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
