Callum Fordyce says a double-header against Inverness and Dundee United is what Airdrie are in the Championship for – and they want points.

The Diamonds travel to the Highlands to take on Duncan Ferguson’s rejuvenated Thistle side before hosting United under the lights at New Broomfield on Tuesday.

These are games that Rhys McCabe’s side can get stuck into, and Fordyce says they will need to be on top form.

He said: “These are the games we’re in the Championship for, definitely.

“Dundee United have a well-established squad, experience, a good budget and they’re probably favourites for the league.

“To have them at home on the Tuesday under the lights will be an exciting game, and one that we’ll be looking forward to.

“But first and foremost we’ve got to look forward to Inverness on Saturday.

“It’s a tough game with the new manager coming in.

“Duncan Ferguson has given them a new lease of life and it’s going to be a tough game, especially going up there. It will be one we’ll do our homework on, and we will need to look to be at it.

“We’ve played them twice this season they’re a very good side and they have been tight games, with one goal in it.

“With Duncan Ferguson coming in, he’s a massive name in Scottish football now, arguably one of the biggest, so he has given them a real motivation boost and he’s getting a tune out of the players now.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re at it and show them the respect they’re due, but first and foremost, focus on ourselves and our game plan on Saturday.”

Fordyce says fourth place in the league table is a good return for the first quarter, but Airdrie will look to improve.

He said: “If you had offered us where we are now at the start of the season we would have been delighted with it.

“There’s probably slight disappointment as well, because we feel that there has been more to come from us.

“We’ve maybe just not hit the heights yet and probably could have killed teams off sooner and made some games a lot easier for ourselves.

“The Championship is a tough division and it has been a reasonable start from us, but you’ve got to strive to improve and want to push to be at the top.

“That’s what we will be doing in the second quarter.”

Tuesday’s game kicks off at 7.45pm.

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