Telford delighted with Gibson signing

If anyone was ever in any doubt about the ambition of Carrick Rangers, then the signing of Richard Gibson should completely dispel such a notion. So says assistant-boss, Colin Telford.
New signing Richard Gibson with club director, Peter Clarke.New signing Richard Gibson with club director, Peter Clarke.
New signing Richard Gibson with club director, Peter Clarke.

“I’m delighted to say it’s finally signed, sealed and delivered – the perfect ending to a deal we have been chasing since this time last year,” he explained.

“That’s how it has been since we made our first approach for the striker. The disappointment at the beginning of last season did not deter us from trying again in the January transfer window – and, although nothing came of that either, we stuck to the task and now our endeavours have been rewarded.

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“Fair play to Michael Hughes for his persistence, because all the while Richard was determined that he wanted to stay in the Premier League and we could understand that because he is unquestionably a top-flight player. More importantly, he has constant interest from other clubs in the Premier League and yet we have succeeded in bringing him to Taylor’s Avenue, chiefly because he understands and appreciates the ambition within Carrick Rangers.

“He will play for us as an out-and-out striker. Any top club club needs a top striker and we are convinced we now have that in Gibson, who is ideally suited to the style of football Michael wants to play.

“Richard moved from Ballymena United to Glentoran on a three-year deal and, even though last season he was man of the match in the final of the Steel and Sons Cup Final, he still, inexplicably, didn’t get the chance in their first team.

“Perhaps that was because the way Glentoran utilise one central striker – and that obviously was Andy Waterworth.

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“Dropping down to Championship One level is a massive move for us and we believe he will be a potent contributor to our season, a superb acquisition.

“I still can’t understand why he never got a chance with The Glens and he really didn’t because we were monitoring him all season long and just couldn’t believe he was not getting into the team, week after week.

“And it’s not just the management here who were amazed by that. The players of Premier League experience were of the same opinion and they all feel he will be a tremendous asset to Carrick Rangers.

“In fact, we have been in discussions for considerable time with another Premier League player and we feel that the arrival of Gibson will be a deal clincher for that as well. Hopefully, that news will be available before the week is out, maybe even with another signing in addition to him.