'Only fair' to play 'suspended' Lagan in cup tie, says Millar

But manager Paul Millar says it was no big deal – and it was only fair on the player that he was not left to languish in limbo pending the IFA investigation.

The picture of Lagan appearing to aim a kick at the head of grounded Newry player Cullen Feeney was splashed around the football globe on front and back pages of newspapers and on news and sports bulletins on television programmes – and even appearing on satellite sports shows. And the Larne board issued a statement the day after the match, revealing the suspension "pending further enquiries".

"I am surprised to be asked about Anto, to be honest. I've been speaking to quite a few reporters and, obviously, lots of supporters and other football fans since Saturday and I can honestly say that not a single person has asked me about this," said Millar.

Read Paul Millar's interview in full in this week's Larne Times And I am confident that we can take home three points if we play to our ability and supply the finishing touches as I would like to think we normally do” assured the manager, who is starting a three-match suspension after being sent from the dugout against Newry City.

“I will find it hard watching from the stand, but I’ll have a good chat with the players at training and I have every confidence in Paul Carland and Jeff Russell to handle things on the pitch on the day,” he stressed.