David Rainey: Crusaders need improved performance levels for visit of Dungannon Swifts

The men from the Shore Road failed to back up their three points earned on Boxing Day at rivals Cliftonville as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Carrick Rangers on Tuesday night.

Fraser Bryden had given the Crues the lead but the visitors rallied to lead at the break through efforts from Jack Scott and BJ Burns.

However, Crusaders equalised just three minutes after the restart via Kurtis Forsythe but neither team could find a winner as the hosts were reduced to ten men following a red card to Evan Easton.

On that draw, Rainey told Crues TV: “We gifted them two goals. We talked about how dangerous they were from balls into the box and that's where the two goals came from.

"I know Josh (Williamson) sliced one up in the air, but they won two headers after that. We don't go and command the box and win our headers to clear the lines, and you just can't give Carrick opportunities like that because that's the sort of team that they are.

"They score their goals from cross balls, balls into the box, and it's disappointing as we went a goal up but we didn't drive on.

"After getting the second goal within three minutes of the restart, we should have gone on and won the game, but we didn't.

"In the same sense, we're probably a wee bit lucky too that we didn't lose the game.”

Dungannon’s style of play is widely known as they like to get the ball down on the surface and play out from the back.

However, Rainey was quick to point out that the fact they will know their opponents’ playing style – it doesn’t make things any more straightforward against the Irish Cup holders.

“We know what way Dungannon play, but, you know, it doesn't make it any easier,” he stressed.

"They're a footballing team, they'll want to play from the back, they have great footballers, and they'll bring it here and they'll have a right go at us.

"We just need to be up for it, we need to be switched on, and obviously we need the performance levels to be a lot better than what they were on Tuesday night.”

Rainey has been in the dugout for the last two games due to a suspension for current first-team boss Declan Caddell.

So, how has the former Crusaders player found the thrills and spills from the touchline as Caddell is braced for a return?

He replied: “I have enjoyed it...I'd have enjoyed it even better if I'd got a win on Tuesday night but it wasn't to be.

"I hand it back over to the gaffer and he can take charge for Saturday, I'll happily sit back and relax.

“I wanted the full six points out of six, especially at home, you know, off the back of a good result up at Solitude, so I wanted to win here on Tuesday and help us climb the table.”

Dungannon make the journey to north Belfast after a 1-0 success at relegation-threatened Glenavon on Tuesday night.

A single goal from Junior proved to be the difference as Rodney McAree’s men moved up to 4th in the Premiership table.