Ian Murray praised every single member of his Airdrie squad this season as the club honoured their star performers of the 2021/22 season.
The Diamonds boss and his side finished runners-up in League One but still have a shot at promotion through the play-offs.
In front of a large, appreciative crowd, the New Broomfield club held their end of season awards immediately after the final whistle of their 1-1 draw with Peterhead, which set a new club record of 20 games unbeaten.
Player of the year went to winger Dylan Easton, while fellow wing wizard Adam Frizzell won Players’ player of the year.
Striker Callum Smith earned a double with the young player of the year prizes and Rhys McCabe earned goal of the season for his strike in the 2-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Motherwell.
Dylan Easton also won the PFA Scotland League One player of the year on Sunday.
And Murray said: “It has been a really good effort from the players.
“The boys have worked so hard since pre-season, working tirelessly on their fitness and physique.
“We’ve also been trying to improve them, in terms of playing, organisation and how we want them to play with the ball, and without it.
“The boys have done great, I can’t speak highly enough of this group of players – every single one of them.
“Even guys that have left have contributed to us.
“We keep going now, and we’ll try and get over that line and into the final.”
Montrose have taken two wins from Airdrie in their league matches this season, with two wins, while the Diamonds beat them 4-1 at New Broomfield in February, before battling out a 2-2 draw at Links Park.
Murray expects a tough game, and said: “Montrose have had the upper hand this season but this is an opportunity for us to change that.”
“There have been very close games since I’ve came in here at Airdrie.
“They’re a very hard team to play against, very well drilled, very well organised with good, individual players, and we know it’s going to be tough.
“We’ve been in the play-offs a few times now and it’s up to us to get it over the line.
“But we’ve got to deal with Montrose first, try and get to the final, and then deal with it from there."
Murray added: "All eyes are now on Tuesday night, we’ve not even thought about the second leg yet.
“It’s about 90 minutes in the first leg up there at a very difficult venue, and then we’ll see where we are when we come back down the road.”
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