IRISH LEAGUE: Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey out to finish as high as possible

Jeffrey’s men have won the League Cup and finished in the top six this season for the first time in the club’s history.

They are also on the same number of league points that they they finished last season with - so progress has been made.

But Jeffrey wants his team to end their campaign on a high.

““The message to the players now is can we get to fourth? Can we get to third?

“We are where we are but let us see where this journey takes us.

“The pressure we are putting on is - are you staying in the team?

“It is all about individual performances at this stage of the season.

“It is a critical time of the year - because some people have got new contracts and some people are out of contract.

“Some people might want to leave but if you want to stay you have to contribute.

“I always say ‘If you win games, you win cups and then you win contracts.’

“The boys who came in did well and they have the jerseys.

“I thought we did well against Portadown.

“The goalkeeper Tim Allen had a good game and when he was called upon he did what he had to do.

“The lads did very well and we got the result, but now we must focus on the challenge that Glentoran will bring. It will be tough but we want to finish the season on a high.”