BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
IAIN Russell admits he has fulfilled a lifelong dream after joining boyhood heroes Airdrie on a two-year deal.
Russell is the grandson of former Airdrie player and manager Ian McMillan, who is now the club’s honorary president, and like the rest of his family was brought up a Diamonds fan.
The 33-year-old was close to penning a new deal to remain at Queen of the South, where he has spent the last three seasons, but has confessed the emotional pull of Airdrie proved too hard to resist.
The former Motherwell, Morton and Livingston striker said: “I’m delighted. I’ve supported Airdrie since I was a wee boy, through the ’90s. I used to travel to games, home and away, and my family are all brought up as Airdrie supporters.
“My Papa was the manager and played for them, and is now the honorary president of the club, so that was a massive factor in signing.
“I’ve had the Airdrie strip since I was a wee boy and was at the cup finals in the ’90s and the semi-finals, and for me to finally pull on an Airdrie strip, in front of my Papa and all my family, is going to be special.
“I’ve always said throughout my career I wanted to play for Airdrie but I probably didn’t think it was ever going to happen.
“I was quite close to re-signing with Queens, there were a couple of things just to be sorted out, but when Airdrie came in there was never going to be anywhere else I would rather go.
“The emotional ties with Airdrie, and the fact they’re looking to push on, I wanted to be a part of that.”
