Simon is a Diamond

Jul 23 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

AIRDRIE United have made a treble signing swoop ahead of this weekend’s season opener.

Former Celtic star Simon Lynch became the latest player to sign-on with the Diamonds after Scott McLaughlin and David Nixon put pen to paper last week as manager Kenny Black sets about strengthening his squad for the campaign ahead.

Son of seventies Celtic captain, Andy, hitman Lynch has also turned out for Preston North End and Dundee.

The player also had loan spells with Blackpool and Stockport County.

For the past two years he has been Down Under with Queensland Roar and came to Airdrie’s attention after failing to win a deal following a trial at Partick Thistle.

The 26-year-old showed plenty of promise when he featured as a trialist in the 3-0 friendly defeat to Kilmarnock on Saturday and linked-up well with Paul Di Giacomo.

Boss Kenny Black rewarded him with a one-year contract and he goes straight into the squad for the Challenge Cup clash with Dumbarton at New Broomfield this weekend.

“We were delighted to get Simon in and I think we seen bits and pieces of what he can do against Kilmarnock,” Black told the Advertiser.

“He did very well, particularly in the second half. He is a clever player and at 26, has a bit of experience having been around for a few seasons.

“Even though he has been in Australia for two years, he knows this division and he will certainly benefit from being in for the next couple of weeks.

“He picks up the ball in decent positions and the reason I have brought him in, as well as others, is to provide competition for places.”

On the arrivals of former Motherwell youngster Nixon and ex-Morton man McLaughlin, the gaffer added: “They are both good players.

“David is left-sided and a good talker. He was Motherwell’s captain in the reserve team last season and at 20, his best days are ahead of him with Airdrie hopefully.

“Scott has done all of the pre-season, is a really fit lad and is experienced and another player who can bring us something different.”

Black is hoping to make more signings before the visit of the Sons and said: “There is still money in the budget and I’d like to think there will be more additions. But it takes time.

“We want to add more quality to the squad and while it is okay having money there, you have to have something to spend it on.”

Airdrie’s pre-season campaign ended in disappointment as Black’s patchwork side of trialists and fringe players were routed 5-0 at Stenhousemuir on Monday night.

“Our pre-season results haven’t been the best but I’d rather identify the problems now before the season starts,” he said.

Now the top team face a potential banana skin in the shape of Dumbarton and Black has warned his players of the danger that lies ahead.

He added: “They have added experience and what we don’t want to do is start the season by losing at home to a Third Division club.

“We want to make sure we progress to the next round as we have everything to lose.”