McAree upbeat for Sky Blues clash

The Sky Blues are unbeaten since the former Linfield favourite moved into the manager’s hot-seat.

But after the introductory handshakes and backslaps, McAree insists his boys will be handing out no favours when United visit Stangmore Park tomorrow.

“It’s big game for both clubs,” he said.

“Mathematically, both of us could still be dragged down into the relegation permutation. There are only 10 points between ourselves and bottom club Warrenpoint Town.

“Indeed, only for the fact that we have put together some good results of late, would could have been down there with them. I’ve no doubt Warrenpoint will pick up points over the next five weeks, so we must make sure we maintain that gap and the only way we can do that is to avoid losing games.”

Swifts will be without the suspended Dougie Wilson and Kris Lowe, while McAree is hoping the Ryan Harpur passes a late fitness test.

“We need to carry on where we left off against Portadown in our last game,” added McAree. “We had a great second half and won it with late goal.

“That wasn’t happening in the first half of the season. In fact, I lost count of the goals we lost late in the game. We now have five massive fixtures ahead of us. I’ve belief in this squad and I know they have the desire to secure our place in the top flight.”