WHITES WAKE-UP CALL

McCann was left to apologise to the club’s supporters after the heavy defeat but told the Star that the reaction from the players has left him encouraged ahead of this weekend’s home game against Crusaders (Saturday, 3pm).

“We had a good chat with the players in training on Tuesday and their reaction pleased me - everyone is keen to set the record straight this weekend,” he said.

“I praised our players following the 1-1 draw with Portadown where, only for a late goal, we would have won the match. But we had to go in to training on Tuesday night and lift them by the bootstraps.

“It was a crazy scoreline but I can take nothing away from Ballinamallard as they deserved the win. Going down to 10 men didn’t help our cause but I would rather have tried to go at them with a man less than sit back and try and poach a goal.”

Philip Simpson will sit out the visit of the Crues after being sent off on Saturday. He got involved in a fracas following Aaron’s Smyth’s challenge on Ballinamalllard’s Danny Keohane.

Other than that there are no fresh injury or suspension worries for the Whites, who will have been boosted by the return of Ryan McCann during last weekend’s game.

Crusaders are probably one of the last teams any manager would want to face following a heavy defeat such as the one the Whites endured on Saturday past but McCann says he hopes Distillery will be able to give Crusaders a game this weekend.

“There are no easy games,” he admitted. “But if we go at them and show the dedication and work-rate I know we can then we can certainly match them at the very least.

“We went through pre-season and only lost one game out of eight so it is not that we are not good enough. It all boils down to self-confidence and hopefully we will be back on track sooner rather than later.”

“As I told the players on Tuesday we are only one point behind Linfield and two behind Crusaders. The teams at the top of the table all have four points. A win could lift us right up there too.”

McCann bolstered his squad last week with the addition of Owain Beggs from Glentoran - and he may not be the last to arrive at New Grosvenor.

“Owain’s a player I know well from my time at the Glens. He can play anywhere from wide positions to up front and I think he will be able to do a job for us..

“There might be one more addition to the squad before the window closes next week. It’s something for us to keep an eye on over the next few days but as ever it will come down to money and I’ll be speaking to the board to see who it might be.”

Meanwhile the Distillery boss spoke of his delight that the Whites have finally been chosen to appear in a live game on Sky Sports.

They will take on Cliftonville at Solitude on Monday November 26.

“It’s great for the fans that they will finally get to see their team on Sky, plus it’s a boost for the players too as they will get a chance to show what they can do.,” he said.

- Donegal Celtic will provide the opposition for the Whites in the first round of this year’s County Antrim Shield.

The game will take place this Monday, August 27. A bus, costing £10 for adults and £5 for concessions will leave New Grosvenor at 4.30pm and will return immediately after the game. Spaces are limited on a first come, first served based and you can book your place through the club shop on Saturday.