Larne manager Gary Haveron was delighted to have “class act” Mark Randall back in action during Tuesday’s 4-0 Senior Shield victory over Newington – and also highlighted how giving a senior debut to one of the club’s young stars was “particularly pleasing”.

Randall was one of the Premiership’s top performers in the opening months of last term, helping Larne set the platform for their third Gibson Cup triumph in four seasons.

The 36-year-old suffered a back injury which limited him to just three further league appearances from early-December and also didn’t feature in Larne’s run to the Conference League play-off this summer.

Randall was an unused substitute across fixtures against FC Iberia 1999 and Lincoln Red Imps, while he also remained on the bench for a trip to Coleraine last month.

placeholder image — Larne manager Gary Haveron. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

Former Arsenal midfielder Randall was named captain for Tuesday’s win which was sealed thanks to a brace from Kevin O’Hara alongside goals for James Simpson and Josh Ukek.

As Randall continues to step up his recovery towards full fitness, Haveron is thrilled to have him back involved.

“I was so pleased to see Mark Randall back out there playing,” Haveron told the club’s media channel. “It has been a long time coming for Mark.

"We didn’t get to use him as much as we would have liked in Europe because of his long delay coming back last year.

"He was suffering from a back injury and missed the second half of last season.

"He got bits and pieces of minutes, had a bit of a relapse, came back in and it was always about being fair to Mark when we put him in and use him.

"He showed all his class, as he always does when he steps on the pitch for Larne – he’s a class act.”

Tuesday’s cup clash marked Larne’s first match since their heartbreaking Conference League exit to Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar.

Haveron made 11 changes to the team which lost 3-0 at Inver Park after extra-time last week with Jacob Carney, Greg Sandiford and Alex Wilkie making debuts from the start.

Teenage goalkeeper Phoenix Blayney, who will join Premier League giants Arsenal next summer, made a late substitute appearance – and boss Haveron took immense pride in handing him a maiden senior opportunity.

“It was a professional job,” he added. "We got off to a flying start, 1-0 up after a minute or maybe not even.

"I felt we could and should have scored more goals than the four we did, but you have to be happy with a 4-0 win.

"Newington are flying, we managed to change all 11 players and freshen up the squad, giving people game time, keeping them ready.

"It’s very difficult with Europe to get people the game time they need, it’s not a pre-season where you can chop and change a lot, the same boys have played a lot of minutes and others have been dying for the opportunity...I felt most of them grabbed it with both hands.

"It was great to give Alex a debut, Greg made his debut, Jacob made a debut and young Phoenix Blayney made a debut which is a particularly pleasing one for myself personally.”