Callum Smith didn’t realise he had clocked up 100 games for Airdrie in the 1-1 draw at Kelty Hearts earlier this month – until he was told after the game.
But the 23-year-old says the New Broomfield club has developed him well over the years, and he feels settled at the Diamonds.
With 32 goals in 100 outings, Smith has nine to his credit this term and is on track to have another good season.
“I didn’t even know it was 100 games until they told me after the game,” said Smith.
“It is a great achievement, and I’m still quite young, so to play 100 games for a club at 23, I’m really proud of that.
“I’ve loved every minute since I’ve been at Airdrie. I feel that I’ve done very well and in the last few seasons I’ve really started growing as a player, especially goal-scoring wise.
“I’m quite happy with my goals return just now, I’m on nine, so I think that’s more than I had last season at this time.
“I’m on track for another hopefully good goal-scoring season, which was my aim at the start of the season.
“The older I’m getting, the more I’m getting a bit more confident in front of goal, and starting to take my chances a bit more – I feel that Airdrie have really developed me in that sense.”
Last season Smith hit his first career hat-trick when he hit a treble in the dramatic 6-4 (6-5 on aggregate) play-off semi-final second leg victory over Montrose, before the Diamonds eventually fell short in the final against Queen’s Park.
But his goals are helping Airdrie with another promotion push this season.
They are currently just outside the promotion spots in fifth place after drawing 1-1 with Kelty Hearts on their last outing on January 14.
And Smith, who first joined the club on loan from Hearts in the 2019/20 season and then returned to the club on a permanent basis in July 2021, says having experienced players around him like Calum Gallagher is working wonders.
He added: “It helps having people around me that are settled.
“It’s a really good group of boys that we have, and there are a few of us who have been there for the last three or four seasons.
“It’s a good atmosphere to be in, and learning from Gal is good – he’s known for his goal-scoring ability.
“We score quite a few goals, and even though we’re fifth in the league, our goal-difference is very good.
“That’s the kind of team we are. We’re a good, attacking side, and we like to score as many goals as we can, so it’s the perfect team for me to play in.”
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