Carrick will need to rely on home comforts to avoid
CARRICK Rangers should not be in the Danske Bank Premiership this season. They are one year ahead of schedule.
Put that down to manager Niall Currie, who is a master of winning promotion to the top flight, and his committed players, who showed immense character last term.
Larne were always going to go up from the Championship, but Currie’s old club Portadown Manager: Niall Currie
Captain: Mark Surgenor
Last season: Second in Championship (won promotion play-off)
INS: Mark Carson, Mark Kelly, Willie Faulkner, Kyle Cherry, James Ferrin, Adam Gray.
OUTS: Craig McMillen, Jake McNeill, Caolin Coyle and Ryan Waide (they were on loan last season).
were supposed to follow them, not Carrick. Rangers finished second in the regular season and defeated third-placed Portadown to earn a promotion/relegation play-off with Newry City.
Currie’s team were underdogs but showed bite and bottle to beat the border outfit home and away.
How the vociferous Amber Army revelled in the success after losing their Premiership status to Newry in the play-offs the year before.
Carrick’s promotion was hugely impressive and perhaps Currie and his side didn’t receive all the credit they richly deserved for their efforts.
They certainly will this season if they stay up because that will be viewed as an even bigger miracle.
Home form at the Loughshore Hotel Arena will be vital.
So too Currie’s man management skills, the experience of inspirational Mark Surgenor and how new signings like Kyle Cherry and Willie Faulkner blend with players like Caolan Loughran, who was so influential in the promotion success.