Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe: 7-0 derby win wasn't as important as building fitness
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.
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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.
Lewis McGrattan (left) sent Airdrie on their way to a comprehensive win -Credit:SNS Group
'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.
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READ MORE: Ex-Rangers defender handed captain's armband at Airdrie
READ MORE: Airdrie 7, Albion Rovers 0: Sparkling Diamonds rack up comfortable friendly win
'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.
Dylan MacDonald fired in a spectacular sixth to complete the scoring -Credit:SNS Group
'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.
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'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.'
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