Tomorrow's Opposition

Ahead of our game tomorrow, columnist Joe James takes a look at the opposition. Nickname: The Diamonds Manager: Eddie Wolecki 2014-15: 5th place in Scottish League One Their season so far... It has, so far, been a fairly ordinary and unspectacular season for Airdrie. They currently sit comfortably from danger in a respectable 5th spot on the Ladbrokes League One table but have lacked the consistency to be challenging the likes of Dunfermline Athletic and Ayr United at the top end of the table. The Diamonds will however be going into this game with a great boost in confidence having shown tremendous character last weekend to come from behind to beat Monkland rivals Albion Rovers away from home. That victory at Cliftonhill saw Eddie Wolecki's side put an end to a poor three-game losing streak. Who to watch out for… Blessed with electric pace, impressive close control and a deadly delivery from set-pieces, 19-year-old winger Nicky Cadden, previously of Motherwell, has the potential to cause the United defence problems should he be given clear space to run into. Last meeting… The sides last met in early January 2012 in a convincing 6-2 victory at the Excelsior Stadium seeing United progress into the fifth round of the Scottish Cup. It was John Rankin who opened the scoring just after the 15th minute mark, before Scott Robertson added a second before the interval. Mid-way through the second period Johnny Russell scored a quick-fire double, former Diamond Gary Mackay-Steven just two minutes later adding a fifth. In the space of the final six minutes, spectators in attendance were treated to another three goals, Russell converting from close range to bag a hat trick before Ryan Donnolly scored two late consolation goals. The squad… Goalkeepers: Parry, Ferguson Defenders: Lithgow, Crighton, Ferguson, Van-Zanten, Bain, O'Neil Midfielders: McCue, McBride, Fitzpatrick, Watt, Brown, Stewart, Wilson, McAleer, Cox, Morton Forwards: Prunty, Lister, Mackin, Richford Last three meetings... Airdrie 2 - 6 United Airdrie 0 - 2 United United 2 - 0 Airdrie For the trip to the Excelsior Stadium, United will be without defensive duo of Gavin Gunning and Ryan McGowan. Gavin picked up the maximum amount of yellow cards in his previous spell at the club, whilst Ryan McGowan serves his suspension after seeing red in the quarter final replay at Celtic Park last season. Despite Gunning and McGowan serving their respective suspensions, defender Mark Durnan, who was dismissed in the 3-2 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle, makes a return to the squad and will bolster the thin numbers in defence. Paul Paton and Florent Sinama Pongolle have been back in training this week, however, Saturday's tie may come too soon for the pair. In previous campaigns, the United support in the Scottish Cup has proved to help the players massively. Let's hope that a big travelling Tangerine Army can once again inspire the players to victory and create another cup campaign to remember. Come on United!!