'No reason why we won't win the league' - Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe

McCabe has featured in three of Airdrie's Championship matches and has scored twice in cup competitions this season

You can almost feel the ambition when Rhys McCabe speaks.

The youngest manager in British senior league football when Airdrieonians appointed him at the age of 29 in May 2022, he already has one promotion under his belt.

The will to succeed burns brightest when the conversation turns to whether or not the North Lanarkshire club can be part of the Championship play-off mix this season.

"I think so," he says. "I don't want to come across as arrogant but there is no reason why we won't win the league."

It is a bold statement, but it is based on facing almost all of the sides in the division.

• Dundee Utd & Partick Thistle live on BBC TV

"We go up to Dundee United and we have three 18-year-olds playing in midfield, we dominate possession, unlucky with a few chances, possibly a bit of experience late on - they score in the 92nd minute or something to make it 2-0," adds McCabe.

"We were well in that game at Tannadice with a young squad. They will take a lot of experience from that.

"We have beaten Partick, we have beaten Inverness, we have beaten Raith - who were sitting top at the time - so we have played good, established teams.

"We lost heavily to Arbroath but in that game it was individual mistakes, which I can accept. We respond well and we get two wins and two clean-sheets on the back of that."

Airdrieonians currently sit fifth after four wins and four defeats. Next up is the live BBC Scotland Friday night game at home to Queen's Park, the only side they have yet to face in the Championship.

It could be something of a grudge match since it is the first time the sides have met since the Spiders got the better of Airdrieonians in the play-off final two seasons ago to win their own promotion to the second tier. McCabe scored both the Diamonds' goals in that 3-2 aggregate defeat.

His side made up for that disappointment by reaching the play-off final again last term as they prevailed in a penalty shootout victory over Hamilton Academical.

Now 31 - and almost 18 months into life as player-manager - McCabe has a fierce focus on maintaining that upward trajectory.

He says: "Some people might call it naivety or arrogance but if you're not going into anything to win then what is the point of doing it?"

"Yes, Dundee United have a bigger budget and can attract a better quality of player but does that mean you are happy to sit at eighth and avoid relegation? I don't think that is successful or sustainable.

"I have got to give huge thanks to the club for putting their trust and patience in me, knowing there might be sticky patches along the way. But I am confident in what we do, confident in the way we want to play."

Football management in the family

McCabe enjoys the celebrations after last season's play-off final victory

As a player, McCabe broke through at Rangers, making a handful of appearances. But it was the time of financial meltdown at Ibrox and he was soon on the move.

His career took in spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth, the League of Ireland and down to the depths of League Two with Brechin City. But it as at the Excelsior Stadium where he has found a home and where his talents as a leader have been recognised.

And successful football leadership clearly runs in the blood - McCabe is the nephew of former Scotland Women manager Shelley Kerr.

He explains: "I have got a great relationship with her but it's not a relationship where I pick up the phone every Saturday and ask 'Shelley, what do you think?'"

"We live in the same area. She has tried to distance herself as well, I totally understand why. She has got her own pathway and is probably not wanting to overshadow the work that myself and Callum [Fordyce, assistant manager and McCabe's cousin] are doing.

"I have got huge admiration for her. It is great to meet for a coffee and discuss things. And she comes to a few of the games with my dad and uncle."