Black excited about Airdrie youngsters and future of club

Nov 11 2009 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

KENNY BLACK says he will treat his talented teens with kid gloves as the New Broomfield production line kicks into action.

The Airdrie United boss watched the club’s under-19s reach the fourth round of the Scottish Youth Cup on Sunday following a 5-2 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Black told the Advertiser he is “excited” at the talent coming through the Diamonds’ youth ranks, with a number of players catching the eye.

But the manager admitted they still have a lot to learn before they can be seriously considered for first-team action in the First Division.

“I have watched them a few times this season and they have done very well to get to the fourth round of the cup,” Black said.

“A lot of the credit has to go to Jimmy Boyle, Alan Lawrence and Paul Jack. There are no full-timers in the squad and they only train twice a week.

“If we had been in the Second Division, some of them would have been featuring more than they have already as there are some decent players coming through.

“But there is a big gap between the level they are currently playing at and the First Division.

“The likes of Paddy McCabe and Paul Byrne will be benefiting by coming into train with the first team and Fraser Keast, Ryan Donnelly and Aiden Malone have all been involved as well.

“They have the ability and the sky’s the limit as long as their attitude is spot-on.”

Meanwhile, Black wants to see better defending when his senior Diamonds head to the Highland capital for a clash with Caley Thistle this Saturday.

He said: “We have kept only one clean sheet this season and our defending has been disappointing to say the least.

“If we are going to give ourselves a chance, that must improve as we have been naive at times.

“Inverness are not having the best of times but anything we can take from this game we will be extremely grateful for.”

Fans unable to travel on Saturday can follow the game at www.twitter.com/acadvertiser, with sports reporter Colin Paterson providing regular updates.

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