Mason Hancock, Airdrie Diamonds player, expresses optimism for the new year and believes his team can secure a surprising win against league leaders Falkirk. Despite a disappointing end to 2024, Hancock emphasizes the team's resilience and determination to avoid relegation. He highlights the importance of returning players and their positive impact on the team's morale.
Mason Hancock insists Airdrie will keep the faith in 2025 and there’s no reason they can’t start the new year right with a shock win over leaders Falkirk . Rock-bottom Diamonds start the year trailing nearest rivals Dunfermline by 10 points after a gut-wrenching finish to 2024, which saw them concede a last-gasp goal in a 3-2 derby defeat at Hamilton Accies on Saturday.
It leaves the Monklands men with a real uphill task to avoid relegation to League One in the second part of the season, and they start off with a visit from high-flying Bairns, who hold a six-point lead over Livingston at the summit. However, Hancock insists the belief is there that they can turn their fortunes around – and spring a surprise on John McGlynn’s men on Friday night. The Englishman said: “It is a big week for us and we have to be confident going into every game, otherwise you are finished. “We will keep the faith. It is far from over and there’s still plenty of games to go. “Friday is probably seen to a lot of people as a free hit. We’ll get a good training week under our belts, do our analysis and see what we need to work on. “There is no reason we can’t get after them. They are not unbeatable. We will see where we can hurt them. “It was disappointing not to end the year on a high but 2025 can be a fresh start for us. “We will be looking to pick up points in January and build off our recent performances, which are steadily getting better. “They are still not where we want to be, but we want to keep getting better and kick on.” Hancock is among a number of Diamonds players on the way back from injury, with player-boss Rhys McCabe and midfielder Dean McMaster also now back in the fold. And the 21-year-old reckons that will only do them the world of good. He added: “We’ve got bodies coming back and that makes everything better – the atmosphere, the training. It means you are fighting for your shirt every week and it’s huge what competition can do for a squa
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