Friday 29th October
7.45pm Kick Off
Glentoran have not lost an away game against Carrick since Rangers first return to the IPL in 2011. In the ten games played, Glentoran have won six and there have been four draws. In last season's one meeting at Taylor's Avenue, a first half flurry of goals eased the Glens to a 5-0 victory. A brace from Jay Donnelly and a Reece Glendinning own goal put Mick McDermott’s side in control within 20 minutes and further goals from Conor McMenamin and Rory Donnelly completed the scoring just before half time. Indeed, last season’s three league games between the sides saw Glentoran take all nine points and score thirteen goals without reply.
Following a bright start to the season, Rangers’ form has tailed off in recent weeks. A 2-0 County Antrim Shield exit away to Championship strugglers Dundela is part of a run that has seen Stuart King’s side fail to score a goal in five of their last six games in all competitions, the only exception being a 2-1 league win at Taylor’s Avenue against Ballymena United at the start of the month.
King has had injuries to contend with in the early stages of the campaign; experienced ex Glentoran goalkeeper Aaron Hogg picked up an injury that has kept him out long term and led to Crusaders’ Neil Shields being drafted in on loan until January as cover. Key summer signing, enigmatic ex Ballymena and Crusaders forward David Cushley has also missed out in recent weeks and defender Lee McNulty is out long term with the leg injury that caused their 4-0 win at Glenavon to be abandoned back in September. Former long serving Glens player Stevie Gordon has also been out injured recently.
Mick McDermott:” Last Saturday against Portadown wasn’t good enough by any standards. Second league match in a row where we couldn’t manage out a 2-1 lead, this time against ten men. Apart from that it overall wasn’t good enough even though I thought Portadown’s forwards in particular worked very hard and played well.
For Carrick we know it’s going to be a battle. As with every opponent in this league we expect a very tough game. Carrick have started their season well and must be respected. We know that we are going to their home, playing a televised game and they will be out to get three points.
But equally we know we are more than capable of getting three points in any game. The key is to put in a positive performance and the result will take care of itself.
Caolan Marron and Joe Crowe were both unwell and missed a week of training. But they both had a game for the Seconds last Saturday and are now available for selection. Shay McCartan continues his reintegration into the team sessions and will be available for selection within a week.
But Ciaran O’Connor has suffered a fracture in his foot. No doubt we will miss him. Ciaran was outstanding against Coleraine and his contribution to our first goal against Portadown was typical of what we’ve seen Ciaran do so often for us. But we know he will work to come back even stronger than before.
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