Harmon confident Smyth can keep Heatley under wraps

Carrick Rangers Aaron Smith in the game against Harland and Wolff Welders. INCT 08-127-GR

“Heats has been excellent this year. He has great pace but he’ll be up against Aaron Smyth and he’s one of the best right-backs I’ve played with. I think Aaron can handle him,” Harmon told the Times.

“Heatley has great pace but we’ve got to get tight to him and not let him play and hopefully we can keep him quiet.”

Carrick go into Saturday’s clash at Seaview on the back of an 11-game winning sequence, while the table-topping Crues are fresh from a 7-3 goal rampage against Glenavon at Mourneview.

Crusaders' Paul Heatley celebrates the opener in Saturday's 7-3 win over Glenavon. Photo: Presseye

Meanwhile, at a time when most other teams are at least two-thirds of the way through their league programme, Carrick will only reach the halfway stage of their 26 fixtures on Tuesday when they host Knockbreda in a rearranged match.

“It’s unfortunate that we are having to play in midweek after a taxing Irish Cup match against Crusaders, but we have a lot of matches to play and this is how it will be for the remainder of the season,” said manager, Gary Haveron.

“Other teams will be coming into matches with us in a comparatively refreshed mood, both in mind and body, which doesn’t make things easy for us. But we will just have to learn to live with it.

“Still, we are in a good place in terms of our form and well-being and that was in evidence on Saturday with a big win over The Welders at Taylor’s Avenue.

“The 4-0 scoreline was maybe a bit flattering but we got into our stride quickly with Ryan Arthur scoring with his very first touch just seconds into his debut.

“Then they came at us with determination and playing direct football. We only went in with that lead at halftime because of a tremendous save by Brian Neeson.

“You could argue the game hinged on two decisions which saw two of their players sent off and I don’t think they can have a lot of complaint about either. And I say that because discipline is just as important a part of the game as scoring.

“After that it was really very comfortable for us and, while we added three goals, it could even have been more.

“That’s another three points banked, another tricky test overcome and we look ahead to Tuesday night. Nothing is easy in this league, we know that very well,” added Haveron.

Inset pic: Crusaders’ Paul Heatley celebrates the opener in Saturday’s 7-3 win over Glenavon.