We can’t afford to waste chances says Mick McDermott

McDermott was frustrated ater his side spurned several good opportunities before the Glens everntually fell to a 2-0 defeat at Crusaders last week.

The hosts won the game thanks to two late goals and McDermott knows if you don’t take your chances you could end up getting punished, just like the Glens did.

“The outcome at Crusaders last week was disappointing after what I thought was a pretty even match.

“I thought we played well in the first half and created two or three very good chances. But we didn’t put them away.

“That’s suicidal at Seaview which is a very tough place to go.

“Then we conceded two very poor goals late on and paid for that with the defeat.

“The chances were all at nil-nil and really it just proves what everyone knows, that you have to take your chances when you’re playing against a good team or you’ll be punished for it. That’s what happened.”

The Glens welcome a Carrick side to The Oval who are looking for their first win in the league since November 10.

Niall Currie’s men beat Portadown 4-1 that day but then were forced into a fortnight of inaction ater 14 players were asked to self isolate by the Public Health Agency (PHA) after coming into “close proximity to several people” who have tested positive for coronavirus.

They have played two games since returning to action but suffered defeats to both Ballymena United and Warrenpoint Town.

But McDermott says the Glens won’t be taking their opponents lightly.

“Carrick are coming here off the back of a defeat to Warrenpoint last week and they’ve had a slow start, interrupted by Covid,” he said.

“But I’ve a lot of respect for Niall as a manager and always take he and his teams seriously.

“However our team performed very well in our last home match and we’ll be demanding something similar today.

“It’s nice to be back at the Oval again as we head into an intense period with three games in eleven days – two home and one away.

“Thankfully, we’ve got at least some fans in and we’ll be looking forward to putting on a good performance for them to get some momentum going into Christmas.”

The hosts do have a couple of injury concerns, but there is more positive news about playmaker Hrvoje Plum.

“The good news is that Hrvoje is close to a full return and we all know the quality and options he brings to us,” said McDermott.