The Hibs loanee joined the Diamonds in the summer on a season-long loan and has hit the ground running for Rhys McCabe’s side.
To date, Aiken has played 13 matches (all comps) for The Diamonds, helping the North Lanarkshire side progress out of the Viaplay Cup Group Stages before narrowly losing to Ross County in extra time.
In the league, the centre-midfielder has featured in seven of Airdrie’s eight matches so far, with the Club currently sitting fifth in the league, just outside the play-off spots on goal-difference.
Speaking to hibernianfc.co.uk Aiken told us how much has been enjoying his time out on loan, and what he has learned from his experience so far.
“All the lads have been really good with me – it couldn’t have been any better, to be honest. When I first went in there, I was a bit nervous – just like anyone would be – but all the boys and the manager have been really good with me and helped me settle in.
“I didn’t expect to come into the squad and be involved in the team this soon. But I have taken my chances well and I have just really been enjoying playing, getting more comfortable on the ball and getting used to the league.
“The whole experience is a lot different from last season, to be honest. You’re not just playing in front of just parents anymore, you are playing in front of fans who are paying their money to go and you can tell it means a lot to both the fans and all the players too.”
Murray’s performances have clearly caught the eye of the fans, who voted him Airdrieonians Player of the Month for September.
“The award was really special for me, particularly because it was voted for the fans", Aiken admitted.
“It is always nice to see that the fans are valuing you. I knew I had been playing well but it’s good to see that the fans have the same opinion and to get that award was a nice way to end a good month for us all.”
Fellow Hibee loanees Josh O’Connor and now Kanayo Megwa are also part of McCabe’s side as the trio look to get more experience of playing regular, competitive senior football. Aiken explained the benefits of having familiar faces around the training ground and detailed what he hopes to get out of the rest of his loan spell.
“It gives me a bit of comfort that we are all there, it is obviously good having familiar faces around the place and people to share lifts with etc.
“I think we would’ve all been fine on our own, but having them around has just made the experience more special.
“There is always people watching the games from Hibs, I have spoken to both Gareth Evans and Eddie May during my time out on loan which has been good. But for me, now is just about kicking on at Airdrie, enjoying this loan move and trying to come back a better player with more experience.
“We are a team with nothing to fear at the moment, it is a tough league where everyone can take points of anyone, but we are just focused on finishing as high in the league as possible.”
