IRISH CUP: Carrick Rangers boss Gary Haveron is under no illusions ahead of Crumlin Star tie

Carrick Rangers manager Gary Haveron will urge his boys to stand up and be counted ahead of Saturday's Tennent's Irish Cup sixth round clash with Crumlin Star at the Belfast Loughshore Hotel Arena.

Haveron is still smarting from the 5-1 midweek league hammering by Glenavon.

Although the cup provides a welcome break from the pressures and the threat of relegation, Haveron insists they’ll be taking nothing for granted against the Amateur League side.

“Our defending has been diabolical of late,” moaned Haveron. “We have Crumlin Star next up in the Irish Cup which will not be easy.

“To be honest, our last two performances (against Linfield and Glenavon) have been a letdown. I was really disappointed. I thought we had more about us than what we showed.

“But I have to be strong within myself because it would be easy just to throw in the towel and say, I’ve had enough.

“It’s incredibly hard at the wrong end of the table and, when you don’t win games, it creates pressure.

“If I come through this, I’ll be a better manager for it. I’ve got to take the rough with the smooth. Last year it was all good and plain sailing, but this season it’s ll about digging in and grinding out points.

“I was really down after the display in midweek -- it was embarrassing. We were second best all night and got what we deserved which was nothing. In saying that, Glenavon are a quality side. As I said after the Linfield defeat, it’s not what we do against the big teams, it’s how we perform against the teams around us in the table – that will be our big test.”