Football Saturday: Airdrie United v Peterhead

Sep 16 2010 By Colin Paterson

Airdrie United striker Tony Watt.

IRN-BRU SECOND DIVISION:

AIRDRIE v PETERHEAD

New Broomfield, 3pm

AIRDRIE young gun Tony Watt has vowed to get fit fast after a dream training stint with Liverpool.

The 16-year-old forward spent three days at the English Premier League club's academy for youngsters in Kirkby, Merseyside.

Watt played for the Reds in a match against Wolves and trained with the teenagers pushing for a first-team squad place at Anfield.

The youngster, who has scored once for the Diamonds this season and boasts enormous potential, labelled the experience "fantastic" after being invited down by Liverpool's youth coaching hierarchy.

And Watt is now focusing on improving his fitness levels in a bid to win another opportunity with one of the biggest names in world football.

"It was a great trip," he told Advertiser Sport ahead of tomorrow's visit of Peterhead. "The people I stayed with were very nice and the facilities at the academy were unreal.

"I was a little bit nervous but I enjoyed it and it was a fantastic experience for me.

"The football was fast-paced. It was one-touch, two-touch at most and everyone can dribble with the ball.

"I played in a game, and although I didn't think I'd done well, the coaches said I was positive. They said my fitness needs to get better and I know that.

"They said that some of the boys in the academy had been with them six years and were full-time which is why their fitness was great so they told me to get fitter and they would have me back.

"I will work on my sharpness and touch. I know I can get better and will get better.

"The facilities down there were amazing. The main pitch is cut and lined every day, there's a state-of-the-art indoor facility as well. All your kit is provided and you could spent time in a games room. I'd never been anywhere like it."

Watt returned north in time to play for the Diamonds in their 1-1 draw with Brechin City with the width of a post denying him the chance to cap a wonderful week with a last-minute winning goal.

"I thought we were unlucky," he said. "I felt we should have won that game. It was a difficult one to play in as it kept stopping and starting all the time.

"Scott Sally did well to lay the ball off at the end and when the shot left my foot, I thought it was destined for the back of the net. I couldn't believe it when it hit the post.

"It would have been a great way to end the week for me."

Airdrie boss Jimmy Boyle could hand a debut to new signing Jamie Stevenson as he prepares for his first game since being handed the managerial reins on a permanent basis.

The 26-year-old midfielder will be joined in the squad by Gary Muir and Ryan Wallace who have recovered from injury. On-loan Hearts keeper Mark Ridgers remains a doubt so Adam Szpilcynski looks set for another start.