Oran Kearney doesn't want Ballymena United players 'to hide' on difficult playing surface at Warden Street
After airing his frustrations regarding the pitch at their Ballymena home – Oran Kearney has challenged his players to prepare for much more of the same as they take on Carrick Rangers this weekend.
Kearney was scathing of the pitch at the Ballymena Showgrounds after last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Portadown, labelling the playing surface as “a constant impingement” in recent weeks.
The Sky Blues boss also added how the pitch is “horrific” and how the players are in “a constant fight” when asked to play on home soil.
Ballymena managed to pick up a point for their efforts against the Ports as Jack O’Reilly’s stoppage-time equaliser cancelled out Eamon Fyfe’s opener.
They are back on Warden Street this Saturday as Carrick Rangers are the visitors.
"I've said it to the guys already...you've got to just prepare yourself for the same,” Kearney told the club’s official social media channels.
"The pitch isn't going to make a massive difference in a week's time, probably as it dries out and firms up, it will probably get worse in a way where it'll start to become really, really bobbly.
"But we can't shy away from that.
"I don't want people who are hiding, we didn't hide last Saturday but we maybe played too much at times.
"We still have to try and stick to those principles and try and make sure that we for the long-term that we try and adjust the way we want to.”
Carrick Rangers’ nine-match unbeaten run in the Premiership came to an end last weekend after a 1-0 loss at Glentoran.
Stephen Baxter’s men know they need to win their last two games and hope either Cliftonville and Dungannon Swifts lose their remaining pre-split fixtures to finish in the top-six.