Mason Hancock says Airdrie must raise their game when they head to Morton (Image: SNS Group)

Morton v Airdrie: Mason Hancock says Diamonds facing big test of character amid slump

The defender says their trip to Cappielow will show "who just talks the talk and who walks the walk"

by · Daily Record

Mason Hancock says it is time for Airdrie's players to puff their chests out and show what they are made of after their poor start to the season leaves them desperate to get back to winning ways at Morton today.

The Diamonds were battered by league leaders Falkirk last weekend and were lucky to get away with just a 2-0 defeat on home turf, while there has been a 5-0 hammering at the hands of unbeaten Ayr United and a 2-0 defeat at home to Queen's Park.

Amid that, they laboured to a 1-0 win over Raith Rovers, currently bottom of the table, on the opening day and Rhys McCabe's men had to score twice in the last 10 minutes at Hamilton to salvage a 2-2 draw.

Hancock knows it simply hasn't been good enough for a side that made the play-offs last season and says going to Cappielow is going to separate the men from the boys.

The former Aberdeen defender said: "It is a big test of character now, these next few weeks, and we haven't got easy games coming up. Morton is a tough place to go. We know that from last season.

"But now, we'll see who really wants it. We'll see who just talks the talk and who walks the walk, but that doesn't scare me in the slightest.

"There's a big personality in the dressing room and the gaffer will keep us on the right track. We definitely have experienced boys to come and kind of take care of things as well. But as much as we have young players, we do need to step up because it hasn't been enough.

"In the Falkirk game, I think the whole back four and the defensive-minded players can say that's the most we'll defend all season.

"We need to now take pride in what we're doing. And I'm not saying there's something wrong with what's going on at the top of the pitch, because at the end of the day it starts with us at the back, but a lot needs work done. There's no hiding away from that. We are still a very young squad and there's some very new players as well.

Hancock in action for the Diamonds (Image: SNS Group)

"But I still puff my chest out and say that we will come strong. I do believe that.

"We are a team with ambition and a team that did so well last season. We've still got a good group of players and we're still very confident. But we do need to start turning things around. There's no shying away from that."

Morton haven't been in great form either, with one win from five games, and sit joint bottom of the division with Raith Rovers.

However, Hancock knows not to underestimate Dougie Imrie's men, having lost 2-1 on their previous visit to Cappielow last season.

The Englishman added: "They always make it difficult for you, but I've heard they're trying to play a bit differently this season. They will make the pitch narrow and try to win the second balls.

"We will give the boys who haven't played down there all the information of what it's going to be like because it isn't nice down there. But we're confident every single week that we're going to pick up three points."

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