JIMMY GIBSON has pinpointed the need for a repeat clean sheet as the key to Clyde's hopes of completing their Irn-Bru First Division survival mission in the second leg of the play-off final against Airdrie.

At Broadwood tomorrow, the battling Bully Wee will nurse a 1-0 lead from the first leg at New Broomfield.

And midfielder Gibson knows that, with the Diamonds needing two goals to overturn Clyde's advantage, shutting up shop will be pivotal for John Brown's side.

Gibson says he has every confidence in his back line to pull off another clean sheet against Kenny Black's side.

The Tank fired: "The key for us is to make a good start tomorrow. The onus is on Airdrie, as they are going to have to score a minimum of two goals if they are going to beat us.

"But we were really good at the back at their place on Wednesday night and Chris Higgins and big Stevie Masterton did really well in keeping Allan Russell quiet.

"Also, I thought down the right flank Billy Gibson had a great game for us in an area that had caused us problems against Alloa.

"So, if we can get another good shift from the boys at the back, and keep a clean sheet, then we know that will be good enough.

"But it is only half-time and Airdrie will come here knowing they have to improve upon the first leg, and I am sure they will."

The 28-year-old Gibson was at his snarling best alongside twin midfield terrier Marvyn Wilson.

They bullied the Diamonds' midfield non-stop for a high- octane 90 minutes that were reminiscent of Gibson's twin Scottish Cup quarter-final glory campaigns with Partick Thistle.

And Jimmy is determined to maintain the standard of Wednesday's benchmark performance at Broadwood tomorrow.

He said: "That was my first 90 minutes in I don't know how long and I felt I put in a pretty decent shift.

"It has been tough to come back in with Clyde after the way things went with Thistle and then it is always going to take time to get yourself up to the required level of match sharpness.

"But I felt in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Alloa that I was getting a bit of sharpness back and I took that on another notch at Airdrie.

"New Broomfield was my best game for Clyde all right and hopefully I can maintain that standard tomorrow."

The Tank added: "It is also great having someone like Marvyn Wilson in the engine room with you. Marv has a world of experience and gets through a lot of work and I felt we dovetailed well in the first leg."

With his contract up after tomorrow's Final, Gibson admits that, like most of the Clyde squad, victory is vital to their footballing futures as well as that of the Broadwood club's.

And he said: "A lot does depend on tomorrow and what division we will be playing in next season.

"But it has been great to get back into the game with Bomber and I feel that he has really helped me get back my appetite for the game.

"My deal is up after the Final and although I'd love to stay on with Bomber at Clyde we will just have to wait and see how the game goes.

"I know a lot of the players are in a similar position, but I think if we stay up and keep a good nucleus then we are only going to get better under the gaffer."