Crues won’t let title glory slip away like last campaign, vows Jensen

IT’S a game that could effectively decide who wins this season’s Danske Bank Premiership title and Crusaders’ experienced shot-stopper Brian Jensen says his side are ready to deliver.

Coleraine will arrive at Seaview tonight knowing victory will edge them agonisingly close to a first championship triumph since their only success in 1974.

The Bannsiders have finished runners-up on nine occasions and Jensen is desperate to help steer the Crues to a seventh title victory and their third in four years.

But the Crues are clinging onto a slender two-point advantage with only five games remaining and any slip tonight will give Coleraine a huge chance of finishing the job.

With the finish line in sight last season, Stephen Baxter’s side faltered and the Hatchetmen are in no mood for an action replay.

Big Dane Jensen, who joined the north Belfast side last summer, admits Coleraine are a formidable force but he expects his side to be crowned champions.

“The manager has brought in experienced players like myself and Sean Ward while hopefully Colin Coates can stay injury-free after his time out last season which had an impact on the team,” said the former Burnley No.1.

“We are here to help some of the younger lads and no one wants to go through what they went through a year ago. It may be on a few people’s mind but we are determined that will not happen again.

“It’s up to us to deal with the pressure and take the chance, there’s no point in looking back too much. I think the boys have shown with their performances this season that they won’t let it slip again.”

Crusaders were without several big name players when they thumped Warrenpoint Town 4-1 last Monday night, including Gavin Whyte, who was impressing for the Northern Ireland Under-21 side in games against Spain and Iceland.

Whyte has been in sensational form this campaign and despite being a winger, he’s the league’s top marksman with 21 goals.

Cross-channel clubs, including Queens Park Rangers, have been casting admiring glances in his direction and Jensen says the 22-year-old can sparkle in the professional ranks.

“People were raving about