Friday 23rd August
Kick Off 7.45pm
It will be like a family reunion tomorrow night at Taylor’s Avenue tomorrow night. But a spicy one.
Rangers have three points from two matches so far with a 2-0 opening day home win over Glenavon followed by a somewhat surprising 3-0 defeat at Loughgall last Saturday.
This Carrick team will have a very familiar look about it with no fewer than nine ex-Glens players in the squad who between them made 856 first team appearances and scored 162 goals for the Glens first team. As well as Luke McCullough and Seanan Clucas who joined this summer they have a verified Glentoran legend in Curtis Allen plus in form striker Danny Gibson, Joe Crowe, Stevie Gordon, Cameron Stewart, Ross Glendinning and Kyle Cherry. Also this summer they recruited Paul Heatley from Crusaders, so with experienced players like Ben Tinley, David Cushley and Albert Watson they have a lot of quality and will be serious contenders for a top six place.
Declan Devine: “Although we only took a point from the Coleraine match on Tuesday the team put in a great shift against a good team and with better finishing we’d have been deserved winners. Defensively we were excellent and we dug in very well in midfield against a team that like us has plenty of ambition to progress this season. A number of players had to move positions as we reorganised after injuries and all of them were very effective wherever they had to play. We looked strong and fit throughout the match and never looked in trouble. We’ll build on that.
"Also its worth mentioning James Douglas’ performance when he came on as sub at half time. He was very confident and composed throughout his time on the pitch and was constantly involved in the play. James is one of a number of excellent young players we have at the club and they will get their chance. To do that its important to make sure the squad is bolstered with more experienced players with the right ability and attitude to help them take the opportunity.
"This will be a good game as Carrick have strengthened over the summer. Plus the ex-Glens lads there will obviously look to raise their game further against their former club. But I was pleased with the team in our first away game last week and if we use that performance as a starting point I’d expect a strong performance.
"We had to take three players off injured against Coleraine – Jay, Cameron and Josh – and we’ll take a decision on them tomorrow morning.
"With a week to go until the end of the transfer window I can guarantee we’ll be working round the clock to make sure we’re fully bolstered with the quality of players we need to bring in.”
Tickets for this game can be purchased HERE.
