Black out to break Hearts

Aug 27 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

AIRDRIE boss Kenny Black is hoping his side can dish out some capital punishment tonight at the club where he made his name.

The Diamonds travel to Edinburgh for their mouth-watering Co-operative Insurance Cup Second Round clash with SPL cracks Hearts.

Black was a big favourite with the Tynecastle faithful between 1984-1989 and a key figure in the Jambos line-up who beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in the UEFA Cup.

Now he is aiming to mastermind a massive cup upset when he leads his Airdrie players into battle against Csaba Laszlo’s talented outfit.

He said: “I had five enjoyable years at Tynecastle, with plenty of highs and lows.

“We had great European nights there, especially when we defeated Bayern Munich, and it will be great to go back.

“The highs were the numerous cup semi-finals and finals we played in, with the obvious low of losing the league and cup final in the space of a week in 1986.”

Black added: “It is a little bit special to go to a Premier League ground and have the chance to play on a nice surface.

“Even though it is still the early rounds, there is a bit of hype around the game and we have the chance to go and carry out a giant-killing act. “The indications are that our tickets have sold fairly well and this will be a different experience for the players because the supporters are on top of you. It’s something I am hoping they will thrive on.

Black admits the first goal will be vital in a match he says is one of the biggest in Airdrie’s recent history.

He continued: “You have to get that rub of the green. They have better players, there’s no question about that, but it all depends on what kind of attitude they go out with.

“The first goal will be very crucial and if we can get it, then we could silence their crowd.

“Hearts will have a lot of the ball and defensively we will have to be right on top and be as dogged and determined as we can.

“It is certainly one of the biggest games in the time that I have been here. I still see Hearts as being one of the top three or four clubs in Scotland.

“They have had a bit of a transitional period and this may well be a good time to catch them, with a new manager in and evaluating his playing staff.

“He may want to make a few changes but we will put up a starting XI that will hopefully make it as difficult as possible for Hearts.”

Airdrie go in search of league points this weekend when they entertain Morton.

Black’s troops have yet to score a goal in the First Division and toiled going forward in the 0-0 draw at Dunfermline Athletic.

And the manager was quick to cool expectation levels ahead of the visit of Davie Irons’ men, who currently sit ninth in the table.

He said: “We have been creating some decent chances but you get disappointments and the players know that.

“We have to remember this team has just been put together and we came into the First Division late in the day.

“If we start classing ourselves as favourites against a team like Morton, then we are leaving ourselves wide open to disappointment setting in if we don’t manage to win.”

With the transfer window closing on Monday, Black has less than a week to bolster his squad.

“We will keep looking but you can tie yourself in knots if you add players that aren’t going to benefit the team,” he said. “We can utilise the loan system but if we do that, ideally we would like to bring them in for the whole season.”

Team news: Airdrie have a full squad to choose from for tonight’s trip to Edinburgh. Paul Lovering is available again for the visit of Morton after his long ban.

l This week’s Airdrie United lottery numbers are: £800 draw - 2, 3 and 6; £300 draw - 1, 9 and 16.