Celtic loan market can work again for Airdrie as they search for 'wee gems'

Callum Fordyce insists he knows nothing about reports linking Airdrie with a loan move for young Celtic winger Owen Moffat.

But the Diamonds assistant boss says there is a good relationship between the clubs, and the loan market is one they will look to.

Airdrie benefited from loan spells for young Celts Kerr McInroy, Brody Paterson and Jonathan Afolabi last season, while there were others such as Hearts teenager Scott McGill who did well.

Fordyce says all of them left New Broomfield as better players.

The former Livingston and Queen of the South defender says he and boss Rhys McCabe are always looking for “wee gems” and loans are a good way of finding them.

He said: “We have a good relationship with Celtic, with us sharing the pitch last season, and there were some successful loans.

“Kerr came in, Brody and Jonathan – though Jon didn’t get much of a crack at it because we were very strong in the forward areas and producing goals.

Midfielder Kerr McInroy was a huge success on loan for the first half of last season (John Steven)

“But when Jonathan played he did really well.

“The three that came from Celtic did really well, we had a good relationship.

“I feel the manager, Ian Murray, developed them as players. When players go out on loan, at the end of the day it's the manager’s job to improve players, make them better, and I feel like he did that.

Brody Paterson was another young star who was on loan from Celtic (SNS Group)

“I think if you look at the business the club did last season with the loans, they were very successful – with Scott McGill as well coming in and doing really well.

“There are players out there who are in the under-21s, who are good young players that maybe just need that wee bit of experience.

“They’re round about the first-team but maybe not getting it at their parent club, so if we can get that good loan deal it can work.

Fordyce admits striker Jon Afolabi didn't get as much game-time as he would have liked, because Airdrie were scoring so many goals (SNS Group)

“It’s a good loan market out there, especially youngsters, and you see how successful they can be, not just at us, but other teams.

“It’s always a market that ourselves and other clubs will be looking at, because there are wee gems out there.”

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