Football: Glenavon clash is six-pointer for Carrick

A win for Carrick would see them leap a generous five points clear of Gary Hamilton’s basement boys. In the context of a relegation scrap on a cold Febrauary Saturday afternoon, it’s a tall order for interim boss Michael Hughes, but it’s not impossible.

Rangers netted their first top-flight victory at Mourneview back in August and recent draws with Glentoran and Cliftonville - both games they could have won - will have served to bolster belief in the camp.

Carrick fans, no doubt, will have one eye on other results, hoping fellow strugglers Dungannon Swifts and Lisburn Distillery take nothing from their encounters with Coleraine and Portadown, respectively.

Since taking over the reins in December, former Northern Ireland international Hughes has been busy, more than most, in the transfer market. And, while it’s perhaps a little too early to tell for sure, the players he has acquired, for the most part, look to have strengthened Carrick’s hand.

Crusaders loanee Kyle Owens has effortlessly settled in at centre-back alongside another new signing, Philip Byrne. Owens, is a bright prospect in the Irish League and he will learn from no-nonsense Byrne who, within five minutes of his debut against The Glens, was barking out orders at the back and looking every inch a commanding defender.

Then there’s Linfield’s Marcus Kane, League of Ireland pair Shane Dolan and Thomas Hyland and talented right-back Ian West who came to Carrick from the Crusaders with Owens. Add new ‘keeper Paul Murphy into the mix and Rangers have, practically, strengthened in every single department.

Hughes also has Anto Lagan and Carrick’s most exciting attacking threat, Paul Heatley, back from suspension for Saturday’s crunch match. Oh, and don’t under-estimate the unassuming ability of young midfielders Aaron Harmon and skipper Grant Hutchinson.

“We are going to Lurgan to win the game and we have every reason to be confident because we have a tremendous squad now and, with three or four players back from injury and suspension, we can choose from a more of less full squad. I face a few headaches, actually, in trying to pick the team,” Hughes told the Carrick Times this week.

“Both clubs are desperate for points; a win for us, potentially, putting five points between us and that would be quite a big gap at this time in the season. It would be nice,” he added.