Airdrie secure their place in Challenge Cup quarter-final

Aug 20 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

DARREN SMITH has set his sights on helping the Diamonds to Challenge Cup glory.

The former Hibernian midfielder (right) struck the second goal in Airdrie United’s nervy 2-0 win at East Fife last Wednesday night which booked a quarter-final trip to Cowdenbeath on Sunday, September 7.

And Smith told the Advertiser the competition - looked down on by observers in some quarters - is being treated very seriously by all at New Broomfield.

He said: “This competition is massively important to us. We are a First Division team and we should be looking to win this cup.

“It also offers teams outside the Premier League a chance to get to a major final and win some silverware and that is great for everyone.

“I was happy to get a goal. We had lost a bit of composure when East Fife were pressing us but we should have been good enough to calm things down.

“We weren’t at our best and the performance could have been better but the result and getting through to the next round was the most important thing.”

Former Hibs youngster Smith admitted he is disappointed not to have nailed down a regular starting slot so far this season with boss Kenny Black preferring Steven McDougall and Joe Cardle out wide.

However, the 21-year-old insists he will do his talking on the pitch in a bid to win over his manager.

He added: “I’m frustrated but Joe and Dougal have been playing well so I can’t really complain and go and knock on the manager’s door.

“Hopefully by coming on as a sub and scoring a goal I am showing that I am good enough to get in the team.

“When you get on the pitch you have to take your chance and put a thought in the gaffer’s mind.”

Smith is impressed with the quality in the Diamonds dressing-room - and reckons they should be looking up rather than worrying about the bottom of the table.

He continued: “This season we have signed some quality players and we have a very good squad.

“We should definitely be looking to stay up. We haven’t set any goals, other than not to be relegated, but we think we can do better than just fight a relegation battle.”

Airdrie saw off East Fife at New Bayview thanks to Simon Lynch’s first half header and Smith’s audacious cross-cum-shot that floated into the net in the 83rd minute.

Boss Black was less than thrilled with the overall display though and said: “In the first half we looked fairly comfortable - in the second it was fairly uncomfortable and I think that is the best way to sum it up.”