KEVIN McBRIDE has told his Diamonds to play the game and not the occasion in today’s Somerset Park showdown.
Airdrieonians travel to Championship Ayr United for a third-round clash in the IRN-BRU Cup (kick-off 3pm).
There is little love lost between both sets of supporters off the park.
And tempers have flared in recent years on the park with games marred by a flurry of red cards.
The Honest Men — bossed by ex-Airdrie gaffer Ian McCall — will be favourites to make it to round four.
But Diamonds head coach McBride, who has signed former Motherwell midfielder Jack Leitch following a successful trial spell, is targeting a victory to boost belief and confidence in his ranks.
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He said: “We know that it is going to be a tough game down there.
“Ayr are a league above us now. They’re a very strong side now and guys like Gary Harkins show the quality that we are up against.
“We’re a very young side but hopefully we can go there and put on a performance and get a win.
“I think it is great for both sets of fans that there is a bit of rivalry. But on the playing side of things, the rivalry doesn’t really matter. You can’t get caught up in it.
“You can’t play the occasion – you have to play the game. The main thing is to go down there and try to get into the next round.”
Airdrie were held to a 2-2 draw at Stenhousemuir last weekend and McBride added: “It would give us a bit of belief if we were to win. But it would give any team a boost if you beat a team from a higher division in the cup.”