DEAN NEEDS TO BE MEAN FOR DANNY

DEAN McMASTER admits a pep talk from his new boss has him primed to get in folks’ faces - starting with one of his best buddies at Firhill tonight.

- Alan Robertson

The midfielder says Danny Lennon had Airdrie’s squad in training Monday to Friday the week after a dugout debut defeat at Arbroath to nail down ideas.

And McMaster is well versed on the script heading to Maryhill, where the Diamonds are eyeing a first Championship win against an inform Partick Thistle side with school pal Ben Stanway at its heart.

The 22-year-old said: “The manager just told me keep doing everything you were doing from before but he wants to add a few wee things off the ball.

“He doesn't want me playing as a proper sitting midfielder, he wants me still getting in peoples faces and getting up to the play, which is good and what I probably need as well.