Adam not putting the Cart before the horse

The 22-year-old from Garvagh told Times Sport the club is buzzing after the draw for the second round of the CIS Cup pitched the Ballymoney side against their illustrious neighbours.

Glebe and Coleraine have had contrasting starts to the season - the locals buoyed as they continue their impressive form during the second half of last season while Davy Platt's men have stuttered early on.

Should Glebe compound the Bannsider's woes, Adam said it would be one of the greatest days in Rangers' short history and would provide a fantastic boost for football in the town.

"It was a nice draw now, that's for sure, and there should be a good crowd along on the day," said Adam.

"Before the draw we were hoping for one of the Big Two but you can't ask for much more than a derby game against Coleraine, it's brilliant for the club.

"One of the players, Chris Patterson, was down for the draw and texted me to tell me, that's how I heard. But I was delighted and as the news spread there was a lot of excitement. Everyone is really looking forward to it.

"You just never know, there may be an upset on the cards."

Adam had a spell at Coleraine - during which he spent some time on loan at Tobermore United - but was released two years ago before joining the Glebe.

Despite not cementing a regular place with the Ballycastle Road outfit, he says he bears no grudges at being let go.

"I don't feel like I have a point to prove," he said.

"I'm not the sort of person to hold a grudge and I don't look at this match as a chance to show anyone what they missed.

"I was at Coleraine for two-and-a-half years before I joined the Glebe so I know a lot of the players and have a lot of friends down there.

"I wouldn't say I supported them growing up but having played there I have a soft spot for them.

"My focus is on Glebe now and doing my best for them."

The two sides met in a pre-season friendly in Ballymoney, with the Bannsiders edging out the hosts 2-1.

Despite the defeat, Glebe took the plaudits for a battling display against the Premier division side.

That coupled with the two sides' respective starts to the campaign could be cause for optimism in the Glebe camp, but Adam has warned the home team will have to be at their best on the day.

"I thought they might have given the Crues a run for their money last week but that wasn't the case," he said.

"But Coleraine are still a good team, a very strong side on paper.

"At the start of the season I thought they would come flying out of the traps but that hasn't happened.

"Perhaps the danger is they are due to click and someone could be in for a hammering - we have to make sure it isn't us."

In terms of the majority of other Irish league teams, Glebe - who only came into existence just over two decades ago - are relatively wet behind the ears.

The CIS clash has been mooted locally as one of the biggest game's in the club's short history.

"I would agree with that.

"Seven or eight years ago Glebe played in one of the cups against the Glens and I think they were beaten by eleven so I hope that doesn't happen!" laughed Adam.

"I have a lot of faith in the players at the club so I'm confident we'll put on a good display.

"If you look at the leagues in England, Scotland and the Irish League you always get upsets in cup games so you never know what can happen.

"We know we will be in for a hard game and we are going to have to be at our best. A lot of work will be going on on the training pitch before that but we also have to focus on the games in the next week or two.

"It's all about taking it one game at a time."

"But there is a good buzz about the club at the minute, we couldn't ask for much more from the way we have started the season so far."