Haveron warns there is no hiding place
His team’s top flight status will be scrutinised then they travel to Danske Premiership basement side Warrenpoint Town tomorrow.
Rangers are only two points above the drop zone. With Ballinamallard United squeezed in between the two – and Portadown hovering just above – it means there will be little margin for error at Milltown.
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Hide Ad“This was always going to be a massive game,” stressed Haveron, who agonisingly watched his side lose to a last minute Daniel Hughes goal against Cliftonille in midweek.
“I wasn’t pinning any hopes on getting any points against the Reds. Had we got anything, it would have been a bonus. I always knew that Warrenpoint was the bigger game of the two this week.
“Our season will hinge on the next five games will and I’ve always said that.
“But I seen enough about us in the first half, in terms of our commitment and our organisation, to go in the the game with confidence.
"We’ll pick ourselves up again.”
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Hide AdHaveron couldn't hide his disappointment in the manner of his team’s latest setback against Gerard Lyttle’s Reds.
“It was really disappointed to lose a goal so late in the game,” he added. “We could have been two or three up at half time.
“We allowed them too much possession in the second half and we conceded a couple of soft goals
“To be honest, I expected my goalkeeper (Brian Neeson) to save their equaliser (a header form Jay Donnelly). He was really disappointed. It help give Cliftonville a way back into the game.
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Hide Ad“We were still dangerous in the counter. We then conceded the winner from a set play... yes, it was a good finish (by Hughes). I was just gutted to lose a goal in the 89th minute.”
Defender Aaron Smyth returns to the Carrick squad after suspension, while Conor McCloskey is hoping to shake off a groin strain.