Haveron: Let’s get back on track

Rangers’ unbeaten start to their Championship season came to a disappointing halt in a forgettable 1-0 defeat to leaders Ards last weekend. It was a below-par performance from a team which had been full of zip in recent weeks. Now the players need to prove to the boss, themselves and not least the fans, that they can conjure up some of what Dowie dubbed ‘bouncebackability’.

There was a distinct lack of fizz against Ards and the loss saw them slide to seventh spot, albeit with two games in hand over the top two sides.

But three points in their next League outing - likely to be against Dundela on November 3 - will get them up and running again and help keep the pressure on the pace-setters.

Carrick definitely don’t want to go flat when they take on Amateur League side Ardglass at Seaview (4:30pm kick-off). Their last game against Amateur League opposition came with a straightforward 4-0 win over neighbours Islandmagee in September. A repeat scoreline on Friday would, of course, be a welcome boost.

Speaking after Saturday’s disappointment, skipper Gary Haveron says there is no need for alarm, insisting the performance was a “bad day at the office”.

“We didn’t create anywhere near enough chances but there was certainly no panic after the match,” he said. “We were poor in the first half and I felt we played a bit too direct.

“We need to come back quickly because for most of the season we have looked like we are a real threat in front of goal. We have had our League run interrupted but we need to kick on because there is a long way to go in this campaign.

“If I’m being honest, I can’t see Ards going the whole season undefeated but they’re an experienced team, so, if they do, fair play to them.”

Against Ardglass, Hughes’ men now have the opportunity to get their first League defeat well and truly out of their system.

“This game is a good way to get back into it again. The mood among the squad is far from doom and gloom and the manager told us to put the defeat behind us and move on,” added Haveron.

“We didn’t do ourselves or the manager justice against Ards, but it’s only October and their will be a lot of twists and turns before the end of the campaign.”

Report by John Gillespie | Twitter: @Times_Sport