I won’t cheat United fans, vows departing McCutcheon

The Scottish striker – who, it was announced last week will join Crusaders in the summer when his United contract expires – admits he would love to sign off at the Showgrounds by firing the Sky Blues to Irish Cup glory.

Speaking exclusively to Times Sport after scoring both goals in United’s 2-0 Carling Premiership win at Glenavon, McCutcheon insisted he will not take his foot off the pedal in the remaining weeks of the campaign.

“I want to score as many goals as I can and while I’m still here I’ll give everything I can for the club,” said McCutcheon, whose brace at Mourneview Park took his season’s tally to 28 goals.

“There’s still a lot to play for. We can’t finish in the top six but we want to finish top of the bottom six and we’re still in the Irish Cup so we have a lot of big games left.

“I wouldn’t say that I felt extra pressure on Saturday but you realise the spotlight is on you and if things don’t go right for the team, some people might turn on me because I’m leaving, so it was nice to show them that I’m still going to give everything.

“I want to get past 30 goals and keep scoring, playing well and contributing to the team.

“At the end of the day I’m a professional and I’ll go out and try my hardest every game between now and the end of the season.”

Speaking about the move to Crusaders, McCutcheon said: “I took my time in deciding. Crusaders made their feelings known that they would like me, along with another couple of clubs. I narrowed it down to going to Crusaders and staying at Ballymena and I took about six weeks to make a decision because it was difficult.

“With no disrespect to Ballymena, they are a team in transition. Glenn is going to try to build his own side and at my age I just don’t feel I’ve got the time to wait on a new team being built.

“Had I been two or three years younger I would have stayed, no problem, because I’ve enjoyed my time at Ballymena.”

McCutcheon will be a key figure for United as they attempt to secure a place in the semi-finals of the JJB Sports Irish Cup this Saturday, when they travel to Championship side Newry City in the quarter-final (3pm).

“To win the Irish Cup would be a lovely way to end my time at Ballymena but we saw in the last round (against Derriaghy) that you can’t just turn up and expect to win any game.

“If we go to Newry with the attitude we have showed in our last few games, we will fancy our chances. They will be right up for it, especially at their place, but we’re all looking forward to it and it’s a good chance to get into the semi-finals,” added Gary.

United boss Glenn Ferguson will be able to add new midfielder Alan Davidson to his panel, after bureaucratic red tape surrounding his registration meant he wasn’t cleared in time for last weekend.

“We’ll get a report on Newry, see what their strengths and weaknesses are and try to work on that.

In training, we work our sessions around the information we get from our ‘spy in the camp’ who goes to watch our opposition.

“If we can put in a performance like our recent ones, I’ve no doubt we will be in the hat for the next round,” added Ferguson, who will hold a question-and-answer session with supporters in the Social Club this Thursday evening, March 1 (8.30pm).

Paramount United Supporters’ Club holds its monthly table quiz in the Bowling Club this Friday (8.30pm).

Seven Towers Supporters’ Club transport for the Irish Cup tie at Newry leaves Henry Street club car park at 1pm. The club’s Joker promotion will be drawn prior to departure.