Airdrie boss hopes for young defener

Nov 28 2012 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Airdrie United defender Ricki Lamie

Airdrie boss Jimmy Boyle has tipped young defender Ricki Lamie for a first-team place when he returns from a loan spell at Clyde.

The 19-year-old centre-back has joined the Bully Wee until January 13, just a few weeks after a temporary stint in the Juniors with Bathgate Thistle.

Harthill teenager Lamie impressed when he was handed his chance last season, although he was quickly farmed out following the Diamonds’ belated promotion to the Irn-Bru First Division in the summer.

But Boyle insists his decision to send him to Third Division Clyde is based entirely on getting him games so he is ready to fight for a back-four slot in the second half of the campaign.

“Ricki had been on the bench a couple of times but we know Cameron MacDonald is nearly back,” Boyle said.

“We didn’t want him to just continue to sit on the bench so he has gone to Clyde for a few weeks.

“If we have any problems we can call him straight back but at least we know he is getting a game every Saturday.

“We believe he is one for the future and we think he is doing fine. He is a young lad and we’re happy with him and the progress he is making at the club.

“He is someone we see pushing into the first-team. When he comes back in January, he’ll be staying here.

“Ricki works hard. He went to Bathgate and didn’t bat an eyelid. That says a lot about him.”

Airdrie drew 0-0 at home to Raith Rovers on Saturday – their first clean sheet in more than three months of action.

Boyle’s men have the weekend off from competitive action after being knocked out of the Scottish Cup by the Fifers but will play a closed-doors bounce game.

On the injury front keeper Kenny Arthur is still on the sidelines, as is left-sided midfielder Alan Cook.

But the treatment room is beginning to clear and the manager believes he has real competition for places.

He added: “We have some good options in good areas.

“Things are getting better. Kenny and Alan will hopefully be back in a couple of weeks.

“Cameron played for the reserves on Monday night and we’re looking to get Sean Lynch involved in the bounce game or the reserves next week at Ayr United.”

Boyle would like to add to his squad following the departures of Kieron Stallard, to Australia, and Michael Hart, who has quit the club to take up a full-time job opportunity in Aberdeen.