Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CHRISTMAS NUMBER 1
Ballymena sit top of charts but Millar isn’t getting carried away
LEROY MILLAR insists Ballymena United are immune to December delirium despite lying top of the Premiership and reaching the Betmclean League Cup final.
Millar pounced for the only goal of Tuesday night’s cup semi-final with Crusaders at Seaview to tee up a showpiece date with Linfield on February 16.
David Jeffrey’s men, who lie two points clear of the Blues at the league summit, are unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions and have won their last 11.
But while United are riding the crest of a wave, Millar isn’t looking beyond Saturday’s league clash with Institute at the Showgrounds.
It will be left to others to talk up the club’s ambitions heading into the busy festive period.
“We blank all that,” he said. “Yes, we’ve won games and we’re on a good run, but our mindset is, we’ve done nothing yet.
“David has said that and he’s 100 percent right. People can talk about the unbeaten run, but we haven’t won anything and we have to take each game as it comes.”
On his close range winner against the Crues, a goal that booked United’s fourth League Cup final in five years, Millar said: “It was very well worked.
“It started with a cracking diagonal pass from Kofi [Balmer], Jude Winchester crossed for Cathair Friel and he headed the ball across the face for me to do the easy work!
“It was a big result because Crusaders are a fantastic team, but on the night we deserved it.”
Millar helped United to the club’s first ever League Cup triumph 22 months ago in Jeffrey’s first full season at the helm with a memorable 2-0 win over Carrick Rangers.
The 23-year-old, who has been a revelation at the heart of Jeffrey’s three man midfield this season, also suffered a 3-1 defeat to Dungannon Swifts in last season’s final. Winning it was a better feeling than losing it,” he said. “Last year was disappointing, but fair play to Dungannon, they were the better team on the night.
“Hopefully we can go one better this season.”
Millar, who has played left back and wing in previous seasons, puts his own rich vein of form down to Jeffrey moving him into central midfield in Ballymena’s 3-5-2 formation.
“Credit to David and Bryan Mclaughlin,” he said. “They have been playing me in central midfield and I’m enjoying it. I feel so much more comfortable.
“It’s also great playing with James Knowles and Jude Winchester in the midfield three. They are both fantastic footballers.
“I also think Adam Lecky up front makes the midfielders look even better because his hold-up play is outstanding and you can take a gamble with your runs.”