MORTON coach Allan McManus is relishing the visit of former club Airdrie United tomorrow night after admitting he spent some of the best years of his playing career with the Lanarkshire side.

McManus had three years at Airdrie before earning a move to St Johnstone in 2006 and is looking forward to meeting up with familiar faces.

But he has warned Morton's players that the Diamonds, who are currently anchored to the foot of the table, will be anything but easy opposition.

He said: "The games are coming thick and fast now. It will be a really tough game, I watched them a couple of weeks ago and I've got a lot of respect for their boss Kenny Black.

"If nothing else, they'll work really hard. It's a game our guys are going to have to be up for.

"It's a match we are going to have to be really positive in and we need everybody on top of their game.

"It's a must-win game for Airdrie as well. What you've got is two teams that will be going hammer and tongs trying to get three points.

"We'll show Airdrie respect but we've got our game plan and with a wee bit of luck hopefully we can get three points." McManus clearly still holds the club in high regard and joked he would probably receive more stick from the home fans.

He said: "I had a good time there. I probably played some of my best football there and that helped me get my move to St Johnstone.

"I'm old enough now that abuse from the fans doesn't really bother me. I'll just be concentrating on the guys on the park and making sure they do their jobs." The two sides last met back in November, with Morton recording a 4-2 win. However, McManus warned past encounters will count for nothing.

When reminded of their past win, he said: "That's in the past. Of course we'd take the same result but that stands for nothing.

"I think it will be a real ding-dong game but hopefully it is one in which we can come out on top."