Airdrie's Liam McStravick returning from injury 'will be like a new signing', as boss praises rehab work
Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe says the return of Liam McStravick is like a new signing after the winger made his long-awaited return from injury on Saturday.
The Northern Irishman has been sidelined since being injured in the SPFL Trust Trophy Final triumph over The New Saints in March last year, in which he scored the equaliser in the 2-1 win, and it has been a tough road to recovery from a troublesome ACL injury that required surgery.
However, he made his first appearance in 10 months when he played the final 17 minutes of Airdrie's vital 3-0 win over Dunfermline in the Championship.
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And McCabe says it is a big boost for the club as the Diamonds try to claw back a 10-point gap from the Pars at the bottom of the table.
"Liam McStravick coming back is a real positive. Getting minutes into him and more games will be like a new signing," the Diamonds gaffer said.
"I'm delighted to see him back. We were fortunate that we were in a comfortable position in the game that we could bring him on.
We've been building Liam up. He's been training and taking part, but it can't replicate match minutes. He said himself coming off the pitch he was feeling a bit rusty, but for him to just get back out on the pitch is great.
"Liam has really put the work in and that's one thing I will say for him. In his rehab over in Northern Ireland with Mick O'Boyle [at Larne], they've really put the graft in and he's come back looking physically strong. He's been sharp in training, he's looked lively and it is just about building him up now.
"Everybody knows what qualities and attributes Liam has and once we get him back to a good level, he is going to be a real asset to this club."
