Airdrie skipper admits 'surprise' at boss Rhys McCabe staying with club this summer

Airdrieonians skipper Adam Frizzell admits he is surprised bigger clubs didn’t swoop to snap up player-boss Rhys McCabe this summer.

But the midfielder admits the 31-year-old staying in the New Broomfield hot-seat was an important factor in him signing a contract extension with the Championship side as well.

McCabe led the Diamonds to the SPFL Trust Trophy last season and took them into the Premiership play-offs, despite an inferior budget compared to many of their rivals, and did so having won promotion from League One the previous season.

Not only that, McCabe’s style of play caught the eye and had plenty of commentators talking up the former Rangers man for a move away from Monklands.

However, McCabe penned a new deal last month to take him into a third season at the helm, and Frizzell said: “It is surprising, even with how young he is, that nobody’s taken a chance on him.

“When you look not only at what he achieved last season in terms of the budget he had, but also at the way he got us to the play-offs, that should be attractive to the bigger teams.

“But him staying was definitely a factor in me staying as well. I know how good he is as a player and a manager. I’m just soaking up all I can from him and I’m looking forward to the games ahead.

“I always knew I was staying. It was just a case of enjoying my wee break and sorting everything out once I got back. As soon as I was back from my holiday, I got in touch with the gaffer and I’m delighted to be back.

“We built the foundations last season and nobody expected anything of us, but I think with the success we had in getting to the play-offs we’ll probably have a target on our backs now. It is up to us to take that in our stride and try to go one better this season by winning promotion.”

Airdrie will play their first pre-season games in the coming days with a home clash against Albion Rovers on Saturday, followed by a trip to Belfast to play Crusaders on Tuesday.

Frizzell added: “Saturday is a good chance for the new boys to come in and get to grips with how we want to play, quickly. And the Crusaders game is very important to get the boys together, especially when you have a new team. It gets everyone socialising with each other and it really will help. We are looking forward to it ahead of the League Cup games.”

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