Crues are being hit hard by a Euro hangover: Baxter

CRUSADERS manager Stephen Baxter has rejected claims the champions’ disappointing start to their title defence is down to a new full-time approach at Seaview.

Some observers have questioned whether greater training commitments have had a negative impact on the team but Baxter argues that a catalogue of minor injuries following their intense European commitments has contributed to the lacklustre start.

The Crues sit eighth in the Danske Bank Premiership after winning only two of their opening five fixtures, with the defeats to title rivals Linfield and Coleraine painful to swallow.

Baxter believes there has been a hangover from the tough battles against Olimpija Ljubljana and Ludogorets but he’s still keeping the faith ahead of today’s home clash with Newry City.

“I think the full-time training is a myth because we haven’t been doing lots more than normal,” said Baxter.

“We have had a catalogue of injuries and although they are minor knocks they have had an impact. A number of players have not been fit such as Colin Coates, Sean Ward, Rodney Brown, Mark McChrystal, Declan Caddell, Jordan Owens and now Jordan Forsythe and Philip Lowry.

“We have just had too many injuries and I put that down to the stress of the two European games. We had one week of training but then faced a high level of football when the body was perhaps not tuned for that.

“But we will get on with it and I’ve been reasonably pleased with performances despite results. There’s no panic and we didn’t get too sucked in to what people write or say. We are a tight group and the players know what we are trying to achieve. We will keep sticking with the plan and working hard.”

Everyone at Crusaders was thrilled to see their former hero Gavin Whyte, who moved to Oxford United in the summer, score with his first touch on his Northern Ireland debut against Israel.

“We were training but I got to see the second half and I was absolutely thrilled for him,” added Baxter.

“It’s a huge achievement for a young man to go over to England, score a few goals for Oxford United and then score with his first touch for Northern Ireland… it’s fairytale stuff and no one deserves it more than him because he works very hard and it doesn’t surprise me that he has hit the ground running because last year he was unplayable and he deserves everything that comes his way.

“I hope that progress continues and it’s great to see for him and his family.

“We know you can never take any of this granted, it comes through hard work but he’s a marvellous talent. We hope he continues to do well, all our players are following his progress and are very pleased for him.”

Baxter also congratulated Oran Kearney on his move to St Mirren and backed the Coleraine boss to thrive in Scotland.

“I sent Oran a text congratulating him on the move and he’s another fine man who has carved out a career for himself in the full-time game,” he added. “He knows how to build teams and he will put his own stamp on St Mirren.

“It’s a fabulous opportunity and I’m pleased that it is further positive recognition for the Irish League.

“We have quite a few Northern Irish managers working in Scotland and Oran is anther astute guy.”

RODNEY McAree has admitted it was a hugely emotional call to leave Dungannon Swifts but the Coleraine job was one he simply couldn’t let slip from his grasp.

The Bannsiders board has moved swiftly to hand McAree a two-and-a-half-year deal following Oran Kearney’s switch to Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.

The 44-year-old is a hugely popular figure in Irish League football and his proudest moment came in February this year when he guided the Swifts to League Cup success, the club’s first senior trophy.

Rodney, whose father Joe was awarded an MBE for his services to football and the community, was part of the Swifts side that finished fourth in the Irish League and reached the 2007 Irish Cup final.

Following spells on the coaching staff at Stangmore Park, he returned to the club as permanent manager in October 2015, following in his father’s footsteps and succeeding Darren Murphy as the Swifts boss.

His first match as new Bannsiders boss will be next Saturday at home to Linfield in the Danske Bank Premiership.

It could be dubbed a baptism of fire but McAree is relishing the challenge and he’s not fazed by the expectation and pressure at the club sparked by Irish Cup success and a runner-up Premiership finish last season.

“It was a big decision and very emotional to say goodbye to the players, chairman and board but it was too big of an opportunity to manage Coleraine Football Club to let go,” said McAree, who confirmed the story we broke in Thursday’s paper (right).

“I felt it was a good fit. I know that part of the world and they always have been a big club. Over the past eight years they have continued to grow. Oran has left them in an extremely healthy position and I felt this was the offer I had been waiting on.

“It’s a massive job and the size of it has been created by the success Oran has achieved. It does make it a difficult job but it’s exciting too. I have faith in my own ability and what I do on the training pitch to make it enjoyable for the players.

“Hopefully, the similarities between myself and Oran STEPHEN Murray admits Glenavon are in for a tough test against Institute today — but they believe they can become the first side to defeat their hosts at The Brandywell this season.

Paddy McLaughlin’s men took up residence at the home of Derry City after their Riverside Stadium was wrecked by last year’s horrific rain storms.

It’s a case of so far, so good for the Danske Bank Premiership reflect in the team’s performances and it’s easy for the players to keep doing what they are doing.

“I think it’s good for the players. They haven’t gone too long without a manager in place and it takes uncertainty away from their thoughts.

“My job and the staff’s job is to make sure things continue in the same direction.

“Winning the League Cup gave me a hunger for more success and I want to challenge for more trophies. This move gives me a greater opportunity to achieve success and I’ll be new boys as Institute are unbeaten in their opening three outings at the plush new-look north west venue.

Striker Murray, however, believes Gary Hamilton’s Lurgan Blues can bring them back down to earth.

“It will be a new experience for everyone,” he said. “We are looking forward to going to The Brandywell.

“I played against Institute two years ago in the Championship and I know how difficult they can be to play against. Obviously, their playing personnel has changed a lot since then. hungry to win every competition we are in.”

A proud McAree was joined at his unveiling at the Coleraine Showgrounds yesterday by his wife Adele.

“My wife Adele and parents, who are obviously hugely influential, have given me their backing and support and they are very excited to see me take this leap and continue to progress as a manager,” he added.

McAree will retain the services of Kearney’s backroom team of William Murphy, Trevor McKendry and Paul Owens, who will take charge of the

“We are not expecting anything other than a tough match. Any fixture in this league is tough, especially away.

“Institute have started well — very impressive for a newly promoted team. They are unbeaten up there, so they have made the ground their own and they’ve settled right away.

“They also showed they can perform away from home by grabbing a draw away to Coleraine, so it shows what a good team they are.

“We are going to have to try and break them down and, hopefully, it will be enough to inflict team for the trip to the Bangor Fuels Arena to face Ards today.

Winger Josh Carson can see similarities between McAree and Kearney, leaving him confident that it will be business as usual at the Showgrounds.

“It’s nice to get Rodney in,” said Carson. “Everyone knows his calibre and what he brings. He led Dungannon to a League Cup success and they did well despite it being a hard season for them.

“There’s no reason why he can’t lead Coleraine to silverware. I’m glad to have him in and it’s a new era for him. I’m their first home defeat.”

Although the Lurgan Blues occupy fourth place — they have reeled in 10 points from five starts — Murray believes there is more to come.

He added: “Results haven’t been bad at all. Losing to Linfield on the opening day wasn’t great, but we’ve had a few good wins since then. We drew with Glentoran in our last game — it was probably a fair result.

“We were poor in the first half. They got their noses in front, but we stepped it up a bit after the interval and always looked like scoring. Thankfully, I man-