Black tips Cardle to shine for Diamonds

Jul 16 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

KENNY BLACK reckons new signing Joe Cardle has the potential to light up New Broomfield.

The Airdrie United gaffer swooped to capture the signature of the 21-year-old winger after he impressed during pre-season training sessions with the club.

Cardle was released by English League Two outfit Port Vale in May after making 22 appearances in three years with the Potteries outfit.

He spent time on-loan at Clyde last season and was infamously sent off 25 minutes into his debut, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Dundee.

Cardle is boss Black’s second signing of the summer and he has backed the midfielder to be a big hit with the Diamonds faithful.

The manager told the Advertiser: “Joe is a player who I have watched a couple of times and he has came up and trained with us.

“I like to think of him as an old-fashioned winger who will entertain and excite the fans.

“He is really keen to get started and he comes with a good work ethic. He is more of a right-sided player but both he and Steven McDougall can play on either side of the pitch.

“He has really good fitness levels and I was impressed with that and also his general attitude. He drove up here to train with us at the drop of a hat.

“Joe comes with a wee bit of experience. His mum and dad were born in Scotland but moved down to Lytham.

“We had problems in the wide areas last season, particularly when Steven got injured, so we needed to address that issue.

“There were a couple of English clubs interested in him but nothing concrete. After our bounce match last Saturday, he went away for a couple of days to weigh up his options.

“But he gave us his decision after a closed-doors game with Albion Rovers and is happy to pledge his next year to us.”

Airdrie continue their build-up to the new campaign tonight (Wednesday) with the visit of Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton Accies.

Black’s troops will pit their wits against more top-flight opposition on Saturday when they take on Jim Jefferies’ Kilmarnock.

The gaffer added: “Hamilton did tremendously well last season and it is great to welcome Premier League opposition for our first friendly at home.

“We are looking for a good turn-out and I think the supporters will be excited at the fact that it is a local derby.

“Results won’t really influence me in these games but performances will.”

There was a mixed bag of performances from Airdrie’s first two friendlies for Black to mull over.

They came back from two goals down to take a 3-2 lead against Berwick Rangers last Saturday through strikes by Steven McDougall, Paul Di Giacomo and Kevin Watt.

But a poor last five minutes for the Diamonds at Shielfield Park saw the home side turn the match on its head - again - with two goals to earn the wee Rangers a 4-3 win.

Black experimented with team selection for his side’s second run out and although things were tighter at the back the goals dried up as well.

Second Division Alloa Athletic were the opponents on Monday night and the gaffer took the opportunity to eye up one ore two new faces.

In fact no fewer than seven trialists were named including six in the starting line-up.

The match ended in a nil-nil draw.