Airdrie have point to prove after last season's relegation scare, says Frizzell
The Diamonds had a nightmare campaign last term
Airdrie captain Adam Frizzell knows the spotlight will be on his team this season, and admits they have a point to prove after their play-off scrap.
But the former Killie midfielder reckons with a bit of recruitment the Diamonds will be riding high in next season's Championship.
Frizzell says it's an interesting league, with St Johnstone and Ross County coming down from the Premiership and Arbroath promoted from League One.
But he says Airdrie finished the season strongly enough that they can look ahead with confidence.
Frizzell said: 'St Johnstone and Ross County will be two teams that will be fancying themselves to win it, and it's very exciting.
'There are a few teams that it will be interesting to see how they pan out this year, and I think everyone will be looking at us as one of those teams as well, coming back off the back of a poor season, by our standards.
'But I think we finished the season strong, getting through the play-offs was massive for us, and the boys should take a good bit of confidence, going into the pre-season and tackling the Championship next season.'
When asked if Airdrie have a point to prove, Frizzell said: 'Definitely. A lot of people had us written off. Whatever happened with Hamilton happened, and we can't do anything about that, but we took advantage of that and managed to stay in the division.
'We still did incredible to claw ourselves back into a position where Hamilton's deduction had any bearing on us – people forget we had five points at the turn of the year.
'We finished the season well, and you just need to look to take that into next season, it's all you can do.'
Frizzell says recruitment is key for Airdrie this summer.
He added: 'I think we need a wee bit, but not much.
'I think a couple of good additions, rather than loads of different ones. 'There was a big turnover last season and there will probably be similar this year, but not on as big a scale.
'With a couple of additions we'll be good, and definitely pushing in the right side of the table.
'I think this season will be very good for us, the boys will have learned a lot.
'We managed to come through it unscathed in the end, which is brilliant, and it's a very young team with a lot of learning to do.
'But with a couple of good additions, and the core we have already, I think it's an exciting year ahead for us, really.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
4 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Michael O'Neill takes positives from Northern Ireland's narrow defeat to Denmark
Christian Eriksen's second-half strike completed a come-from-behind win for the Danes as Northern Ireland suffered a second straight defeat after March's 5-1 loss to Sweden. But Saturday's match was not about the result for O'Neill, who wanted to give his young squad another tough test away to top-level opposition with a trip to Germany looming after they open their qualifying campaign in Luxembourg. From that point of view there was plenty for Northern Ireland to be happy with. After taking the lead through Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's early own goal, O'Neill's men did not allow Denmark a shot on target until Gustav Isaksen's fine strike in first-half stoppage time. Thank you for your support here in Denmark and back at home 👏🏻💚🤍 #GAWA — Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 7, 2025 However, Northern Ireland did not do enough going the other way, and ended the match not registering a shot on target themselves. 'I thought it was a game that wasn't really played like a friendly game,' O'Neill said. 'I thought it had a little bit of an edge to it, which was good. 'We couldn't have got off to a better start. I thought we started the game very well and obviously we get ahead. I thought we thought we defended really well in the first half, we knew we'd have to defend our box well. 'It was a bit of individual brilliance from Isaksen that gives them the equaliser before half-time so half-time has a little bit of a different feel… What a start for Northern Ireland! ⚽ Shea Charles arrives at the back post to head into the net 🎯#BBCFootball — BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) June 7, 2025 'We lost the second goal but then I thought we really dug in.' Denmark, ranked 50 places above Northern Ireland, had a huge edge in quality and experience and that was what eventually told. But O'Neill recognises there is still more they can do to make themselves competitive. 'We were never going to be a dominant possession-based team against any of these teams,' O'Neill added. 'We're asking players who play their football at League One or Championship level to go out against players from the top five leagues in Europe. 'The way we have to try to close that gap is to be what we are, a team that's well-organised, well-structured, difficult to beat, that comes to frustrate the opposition, but obviously to carry a threat as well. The best no matter the result 👏🏻🟢⚪️ #GAWA — Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 7, 2025 'There's no shame in coming here and losing the game 2-1, not at all. But in terms of where we need to get to as a team, we need to be able to retain the ball a little bit better, maybe find a little bit more in terms of level of possession and that will help us carry a bigger threat.' The scoreline would have finished more strongly in Denmark's favour were it not for a number of saves made by 19-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who came on at half-time in place of Conor Hazard who was hurt in a first-half collision with Rasmus Hojlund. 'It's not an easy situation for young Pierce coming in and playing but I thought he dealt with it well,' O'Neill said. 'He's a very good young goalkeeper. You're defending your box at that point in time but the game gets a bit stretched, we're physically tired in the game. But it's important you keep the game at 2-1 because that's how you may get an opportunity.'
Leader Live
4 hours ago
- Leader Live
Michael O'Neill takes positives from Northern Ireland's narrow defeat to Denmark
Christian Eriksen's second-half strike completed a come-from-behind win for the Danes as Northern Ireland suffered a second straight defeat after March's 5-1 loss to Sweden. But Saturday's match was not about the result for O'Neill, who wanted to give his young squad another tough test away to top-level opposition with a trip to Germany looming after they open their qualifying campaign in Luxembourg. From that point of view there was plenty for Northern Ireland to be happy with. After taking the lead through Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's early own goal, O'Neill's men did not allow Denmark a shot on target until Gustav Isaksen's fine strike in first-half stoppage time. Thank you for your support here in Denmark and back at home 👏🏻💚🤍 #GAWA — Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 7, 2025 However, Northern Ireland did not do enough going the other way, and ended the match not registering a shot on target themselves. 'I thought it was a game that wasn't really played like a friendly game,' O'Neill said. 'I thought it had a little bit of an edge to it, which was good. 'We couldn't have got off to a better start. I thought we started the game very well and obviously we get ahead. I thought we thought we defended really well in the first half, we knew we'd have to defend our box well. 'It was a bit of individual brilliance from Isaksen that gives them the equaliser before half-time so half-time has a little bit of a different feel… What a start for Northern Ireland! ⚽ Shea Charles arrives at the back post to head into the net 🎯#BBCFootball — BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) June 7, 2025 'We lost the second goal but then I thought we really dug in.' Denmark, ranked 50 places above Northern Ireland, had a huge edge in quality and experience and that was what eventually told. But O'Neill recognises there is still more they can do to make themselves competitive. 'We were never going to be a dominant possession-based team against any of these teams,' O'Neill added. 'We're asking players who play their football at League One or Championship level to go out against players from the top five leagues in Europe. 'The way we have to try to close that gap is to be what we are, a team that's well-organised, well-structured, difficult to beat, that comes to frustrate the opposition, but obviously to carry a threat as well. The best no matter the result 👏🏻🟢⚪️ #GAWA — Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 7, 2025 'There's no shame in coming here and losing the game 2-1, not at all. But in terms of where we need to get to as a team, we need to be able to retain the ball a little bit better, maybe find a little bit more in terms of level of possession and that will help us carry a bigger threat.' The scoreline would have finished more strongly in Denmark's favour were it not for a number of saves made by 19-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who came on at half-time in place of Conor Hazard who was hurt in a first-half collision with Rasmus Hojlund. 'It's not an easy situation for young Pierce coming in and playing but I thought he dealt with it well,' O'Neill said. 'He's a very good young goalkeeper. You're defending your box at that point in time but the game gets a bit stretched, we're physically tired in the game. But it's important you keep the game at 2-1 because that's how you may get an opportunity.'
Belfast Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Michael O'Neill takes positives from Northern Ireland's narrow defeat to Denmark
Christian Eriksen's second-half strike completed a come-from-behind win for the Danes as Northern Ireland suffered a second straight defeat after March's 5-1 loss to Sweden. But Saturday's match was not about the result for O'Neill, who wanted to give his young squad another tough test away to top-level opposition with a trip to Germany looming after they open their qualifying campaign in Luxembourg. From that point of view there was plenty for Northern Ireland to be happy with. After taking the lead through Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's early own goal, O'Neill's men did not allow Denmark a shot on target until Gustav Isaksen's fine strike in first-half stoppage time. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. However, Northern Ireland did not do enough going the other way, and ended the match not registering a shot on target themselves. 'I thought it was a game that wasn't really played like a friendly game,' O'Neill said. 'I thought it had a little bit of an edge to it, which was good. 'We couldn't have got off to a better start. I thought we started the game very well and obviously we get ahead. I thought we thought we defended really well in the first half, we knew we'd have to defend our box well. 'It was a bit of individual brilliance from Isaksen that gives them the equaliser before half-time so half-time has a little bit of a different feel… We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. 'We lost the second goal but then I thought we really dug in.' Denmark, ranked 50 places above Northern Ireland, had a huge edge in quality and experience and that was what eventually told. But O'Neill recognises there is still more they can do to make themselves competitive. 'We were never going to be a dominant possession-based team against any of these teams,' O'Neill added. 'We're asking players who play their football at League One or Championship level to go out against players from the top five leagues in Europe. 'The way we have to try to close that gap is to be what we are, a team that's well-organised, well-structured, difficult to beat, that comes to frustrate the opposition, but obviously to carry a threat as well. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. 'There's no shame in coming here and losing the game 2-1, not at all. But in terms of where we need to get to as a team, we need to be able to retain the ball a little bit better, maybe find a little bit more in terms of level of possession and that will help us carry a bigger threat.' The scoreline would have finished more strongly in Denmark's favour were it not for a number of saves made by 19-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who came on at half-time in place of Conor Hazard who was hurt in a first-half collision with Rasmus Hojlund. 'It's not an easy situation for young Pierce coming in and playing but I thought he dealt with it well,' O'Neill said. 'He's a very good young goalkeeper. You're defending your box at that point in time but the game gets a bit stretched, we're physically tired in the game. But it's important you keep the game at 2-1 because that's how you may get an opportunity.'
