Tim brings air of optimism to Distillery

Tim McCann takes his first steps in the management game with the Whites, but it is a challenge he is already grasping with both hands and is looking forward to the big kick-off on Saturday at Shamrock Park.

“I just can’t wait for the game to start,” enthused Tim. “We have been back pre-season but now it is for real and I am looking forward to Saturday.”

Support on the bench comes from Gary Smyth and Sammy McFadden and McCann stressed it was a combined effort on the management front.

“I have Gary as my number two and he has a wealth of experience. He was a quality defender while I was more of an attack minded player so we can use both our skills in tandem. Sammy McFadden is first team coach and I have already stated we are a team and can knock ideas off each other,” said Tim.

Fans will recall a torrid season last year and there are those in the game who predict it will be more of the same for the Whites.

“I have seen people making predictions that we will be 11th or 12th but that only spurs me on. I am aiming for a top six finish and a good run in the cups. I really believe we can achieve that.”

The pre-season has been excellent, losing one game against Stranraer in their eight match programme which bodes well for the looming campaign.

“I think it is important to have a good pre-season. It means we can go into the season with some momentum and confidence,” added McCann.

“We have played well and scored a lot of goals - 27 in fact after losing to Stranraer. Now we have to carry that form and style of play into Saturday’s game at Portadown.

“I’m actually glad we have such a tough start. Portadown have been back early and reached the second phase in Europe so while it is a tough ask it will also answer some questions for me at 5.00pm.”

McCann, a quality striker during his playing days, is firmly sticking to his guns as far as tactics are concerned.

“No matter if we go to Shamrock, Windsor Park, or The Oval we will go out and try to win every game. We are not going out there just to boot the ball up the pitch. I want to try and play a decent brand of football. I want to play from the back and I feel we have the players who can go out there and show the rest of the league just how good they really are. There are no easy games in this league and we will have to perform at our very best week in and week out. Fitness is also key, I have told the players the fitter we are the better chance we have of getting those rewards.”

Apart from working on fitness on the training ground, Tim has also talked to the players about diet and how important it is to watch what you eat.

“In my playing days there was not so much emphasis on diet, but we have talked out it and the players know I want them to look after themselves in that respect.”

What type of manger will Tim be? “Simple - firm but fair,” he added. “I know there is a train of thought that once you become boss you need to distance yourself from the players, but I don’t agree with that. I’m not a stand-off type of guy so I will have a laugh with them and be involved with them as a team as much as possible.

“From the day I took over I emphasized to the squad we must act as a team both on and off the pitch. After last season I think a change was needed and a bit of a shake-up does no harm at all. We will be professional both on and off the pitch.”

The new faces include Ryan McCann, Michael Halliday, Aaron Smyth, Johnny Harkness, Lee Windrum, Martin Cunningham, Dominic Melly and Artur Koypyt, a Polish player spotted by the boss playing in the Amateur League.

“We have a squad of 20 players and cover in all positions with some players versatile enough to help out in other roles when necessary. I want to give the fans and Lisburn a team to be proud off. That is my goal.”