Airdrie v Hamilton: Diamonds must show burning desire for win to get out of slump, says Craig Watson

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Airdrie defender Craig Watson says they must show a burning desire for victory if they are to beat his old side Hamilton Accies and kick-start their faltering season.

The Diamonds lost narrowly to Raith Rovers on Tuesday night to slip to a 10th defeat in their last 13 competitive matches in all competitions, keeping them bottom of the Championship.

Now cut four points adrift at the foot of the table, they are desperate for a first home win since they beat Raith on the opening day of the season on August 3.

Watson, who spent six years at Accies as a youngster, said: “It is big for us being a derby and being in the position we are in. We need points as soon as possible.

“Thankfully, in this league the next game is never too far around the corner.

“We need to stay positive and analyse what we need to improve on, approach the game properly and train hard. There’s not much more we can really do.

“It is so frustrating. We are showing spells of potential throughout most of the games we have been playing.

“The quality is there, it is just a matter of consistency and everyone having that burning desire to win the game.”

He added: “It is always great going back to Hamilton because there are still a few faces that were there when I was there all those years ago. But once you cross that line, it is game on and you have to be focused. All of the other stuff goes out of the window.”

Lady luck certainly hasn’t been shining on the Diamonds this season in more ways than one, with an extensive injury list that has the likes of Aidan Wilson, Dean McMaster, Liam McStravick, Aaron Reid and player-boss Rhys McCabe ruled out long-term.

And Watson said: “I have never seen a season like it, we’ve been really unfortunate. But we can’t use it as an excuse. We’ve got to play with the cards that we’ve been given.”

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