Harmon aims to repay fans by getting his hands on Steel Cup

Harmon has already won a League and Cup double with Carrick in 2011, but he has also experienced the agony of relegation from the Premiership and tasted the bitter pill of disappointment at being pipped to promotion on more than one occasion.

The bustling midfielder has been loyal to the Taylor’s Avenue club and since taking over as captain has led by example on the park. Now he’s keen to repay the Amber Army for their support by making it a Christmas to remember against the Welders.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I’m excited and it will be a great atmosphere and I’m sure I’ll have all my friends and family down there. Hopefully we can do the business and lift the trophy. It would be a proud moment.

“It would make my Christmas. I won the Intermediate Cup with Carrick in 2011 but I was only sort of coming into the team at that stage, so to captain the side and win the Steel and Sons would be unreal.”

He added: “Ever since I’ve been here the fans have been brilliant. They help me on the pitch as well because you know if you make a mistake they won’t be on your back. They’re always very friendly around the club so it would be great to reward them for all their support for me in the time I’ve been here.”

Harmon said there’s a palpable sense of Cup final fever among the squad ahead of the festive showdown.

“The atmosphere around the team is brilliant. Everyone’s buzzing. We’ve only lost one (league) game this season so we’re high in confidence and we feel we can beat anyone.

“But after beating Ards and getting into the final, I think it’s sort of kicking us on a bit knowing that we’re there and everyone is fighting for places.

“If we can get the ball down and move it and just relax and sort of put the fact that it’s a final out of our heads and just act as if it’s a normal game [then] we can just play our football.”

Asked about the prospect of lifting the trophy at Seaview, Harmon replied: “It would be unreal. It would mean the world [to me] being the captain and it being on Christmas Day. It will be a good experience.

“All the sacrifices will be worth it leading up to it if I can get my hands on the trophy and then I’ll have a few beers on Christmas Day!”

Read our match report on Christmas Day at www.carrickfergustimes.co.uk