Transfer dealings done and dusted: McAlinden

Davy McAlinden is not anticipating any further signings ahead of the Friday transfer window deadline and he says it’s up to the players on board now to prove themselves for ambitions the board and management have for next season.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Jan 2014, 11:40 BST
Chris Keenan was brought back to Inver Park by Larne boss Davy McAlinden earlier this month.Chris Keenan was brought back to Inver Park by Larne boss Davy McAlinden earlier this month.
Chris Keenan was brought back to Inver Park by Larne boss Davy McAlinden earlier this month.

The Larne manager has already brought in five players, so it’s understandable that anyone else who might be worth adding to the panel would have be a pretty impressive individual.

Plying their trade at Inver Park for the remainder of the season will be former Crusaders midfielder Jamie Mitchell, ex-Ballymena United centre half Chris Rodgers, Ballymena United pair Peter Duffin, a forward, and midfielder Caolan Gillan were joined late last week by the arrival Chris Keenan for the third stint with the hometown club by the ex-Crusaders number one.

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“Chris is a tremendous goalkeeper who, for whatever reason, found himself with Larne Tech. Old Boys after leaving Larne early in the season. He has a wealth of experience in the top-flight of Irish League football and will bring that to the squad.

“He likes things to be done properly and professionally and that’s something which, in my eyes, is a very good thing and I believe he will appreciate that’s how it is.

“Surveying the squad, I believe we are entitled to be comfortable with what we have got now and I can’t see me embarking on a deadline day rush on Friday. Unless something comes up which is a deal I cannot refuse, I don’t expect there to be any more business done before the weekend arrives.

“The situation is simple. We have ambitious plans for the club and we are happy to give all the players in the squad the opportunity to prove that they deserve to be part of those plans for next season. The ball’s in their court and it’s up to them all to grasp the chance and show what they can do from now until the end of the season.

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“We will be assessing all the players as the weeks go by and I believe they are all comfortable with what we are trying to do and they are keen to be part of it.

“Having had no match last Saturday because of the weather was a disappointment, but you can do little about that and you just have to get on with things.

“With the match away to Harland & Wolff Welders now switched to this Saturday (1: 30 pm), we expect to have the original game this weekend, against Knockbreda, to be slotted in for February 8 which is Irish Cup day,” added the Larne manager.

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