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Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Airdrie boss likens Calum Gallagher skill to Aiden McGeady spin after wonder goal in Kelty thrashing

Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe reckons he has some serious competition for League One goal of the season after Calum Gallagher's 'Aiden McGeady turn' and finish in their 6-1 thrashing of Kelty Hearts.

Gabby McGill hit a hat-trick and Jack Milne turned the ball into his own net, before Callum Smith got in on the act and Jamie Barjonas netted a consolation with a late penalty.

But Gallagher's skill, flicking the ball off his heel and round his opponent before finding the top corner to make it 5-0, drew praise from his gaffer.

And McCabe admits his rocket of a free-kick against Montrose in December is in great company after watching his player channel the former Celtic and current Hibs star.

He said: "Gal's done a wee McGeady turn.

"I thought I had goal of the season in the bag for my free-kick at Montrose but, I tell you what, if there is ever one that's going to top it, Gal's thoroughly deserves to.

"The build-up, running with the ball, the cute, clever bit of skill with the McGeady turn. To top it all off, he fires it in the top corner. It was excellent.

"I'm delighted for Gabby as well. Gabs is very critical of his performances and he always wants to do more.

"To go and score three today was excellent. You look at his goal involvements over the season and, for minutes played, his stats are incredible.

"He was excellent and the manner of the performance was excellent."

Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe (SNS Group)

Airdrie remain outside of the promotion play-off spots in League One and two points adrift of rivals Alloa and Edinburgh and McCabe says their remaining games are cup finals now.

McCabe, who was only fit enough for the bench after a hamstring worry at Queen of the South last week, added: "I've made it clear to the boys and I'm not going to beat around the bush, it is eight cup finals we have now to make sure we get in the play-off spots.

"That's exactly where we want to be, so we are clear in our message of what we need to do now.

"It's about putting it into practice.

"Last week [a 3-2 defeat at Queen of the South] was an opportunity we didn't capitalise on, so to pick ourselves up and go again, put on a performance like we did today shows me that the boys are responding.

"The credit has to go to them today. I'm sitting at the side of the park. Young Dean McMaster comes in, Justin Devenny - boys who are 18 and 19-years-old - and run the show.

"I'm delighted to get the win, especially after the disappointment over the last three or four games.

"But the manner of the performance was excellent. I'm maybe a wee bit over critical in terms of how we concede the penalty. It's a bit of sloppy play towards the end where we got a wee bit complacent, given the scoreline.

"But I thought we were excellent from the first minute to the 90th.

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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