Manager’s programme notes
Posted : 15th January 2022
We played Ballymena here just before Christmas and they provided us with a formidable challenge before we managed to emerge victorious with a hard fought 1-0 win, so we are well aware of what we can expect today.
David Jeffrey’s team arrive here in good form, having won four of their last five league games, including impressive home wins against Larne, Coleraine and Portadown and this run of good results has seen them edge into the top six in the league table. They will want to maintain their momentum with a confidence boosting result here today.
While it’s pleasing for us to be leading the league table, two points clear of Cliftonville, with Glentoran a point further behind, it’s far too early to be getting carried away and we will continue to take each fixture one game at a time, starting with what’s sure to be a very difficult challenge for us today against Ballymena.
We were disappointed to lose Tuesday’s County Antrim Shield final 1-0 to Larne at Seaview. We had several good opportunities but on the night, things just didn’t go our way and what was an even, pulsating, end to end contest was spoiled on the night, not just by the goal conceded, but by what looked like a serious injury to Jordan Stewart at the very end. We will have assessed his injury and hope it’s not as serious as first feared.
We will also be missing Chris Shields and Cameron Palmer but hopefully, Conor Pepper is nearing a return to action in the next week or two. Ross Larkin will also be unavailable for the foreseeable future and he remains in all our thoughts and prayers.
I want to welcome young Chris McKee who’s signed for us on loan from Rangers until the season end. He will provide us with more options up front and he’s a promising player who we know well, as he was with our Academy between 2014 and 2018.
I also want to wish Trai Hume well in his new challenge at Sunderland. He’s earned himself an excellent opportunity to progress his career at what is a huge club and I’ve no doubt Trai will do well and make the most of the opportunity that has come his way. Jake Corbett has moved on to the Welders until the season end and we wish him well during his time there.
I’m delighted that Chris Johns and Cameron Palmer have extended their contracts beyond the current season - Chris for two more years and Cameron for one year. They’ve earned their contract extensions and I’ve no doubt they will continue to make a significant contribution to our challenge for honours.
Congratulations to Jamie Mulgrew and Conor Pepper who’ve been appointed coaches of our Rangers squad. They had their first game last night against Newry City at New Midgley Park and hopefully, it went well for them.
We had a sell out Linfield section at Seaview on Tuesday and I want to thank you for your support. Every game is now like a cup final for us, so we will need more of the same positive vocal backing, to help us through every single game between now and the end of the season.