Airdrieonians manager John Rankin has already declared that defender Sam Fisher has won the goal of the season award after netting a spectacular free kick from just inside the opposition half during their 4-2 Premier Sports Cup defeat to Dundee.
The Wonder Strike
Fisher's goal put the Diamonds ahead in the first half, and Rankin revealed he had jokingly told the defender to shoot from distance. Rankin said: “Listen, you'll never believe it. He actually turned around and says to me, ‘Shoot? Nah’. And I looked at my watch and it said 45. I thought, go for it. I've never seen a better goal live in my life.”
Rankin added: “And seeing the element of surprise in his face when the ball hit the top corner, I don't think he's ever done anything like that before either. It was just completely off the cuff when he turned and said that. And probably a bit of tongue-in-cheek from me going, yes. But the rest of the players on the pitch don't believe him. That’s the first day of the season, 45 minutes in and I don't think you'll see a better goal all season. I think it's that good.”
Manager's Disappointment and Positives
Despite the stunning goal, Rankin expressed disappointment with the result, as Airdrie led 2-1 but ultimately lost. He said: “Result-wise, I'm disappointed. You come to a Premier League team, you score two goals, albeit one's an absolute wonder strike, but you score two goals and you don't get anything from the game, I'm disappointed.”
However, Rankin highlighted the positives from a new-look squad that featured only three players from last season. “We only had three players on the pitch that were here last season. So that's eight new players that have come in. One of them is obviously a trialist. And you look at how we went and performed and took the information on board that we were asking them to do. I'm delighted with how far we've come in the space of two and a half weeks. It's promising. There's a lot of potential there.”
Defensive Improvements Needed
Rankin acknowledged that his team needs to improve defensively, particularly in stopping crosses and shots. He noted that Dundee's goals from Charlie Reilly and Ethan Hamilton were also wonder strikes but felt his side could have done better to prevent them. “Don't get me wrong, it's two wonder strikes in their own right with Charlie Reilly and Ethan Hamilton, but I think we've got to do better and get out and stop them.”
Airdrie now face Clyde on Tuesday, and Rankin remains optimistic about the season ahead, citing the team's work ethic and commitment as building blocks for future success.
