Hoops ready for action
2010-01-01, 13:37:13
Ladbrokes.com Championship: Ballyclare Comrades vs Donegal Celtic, Saturday, Jan 2 @ 3pm
Donegal Celtic boss Pat McAllister says his player cannot wait to get back to league duty after bad weather and a series of cup games disrupted momentum in the Championship.
The Hoops can squeeze into the top three in the table with victory over struggling Ballyclare Comrades but McAllister, with a full fit squad to choose from, remains cautious.
He said: "Although we have bounced back from two successive league defeats, I feel we have still to return to the form that we enjoyed earlier in the season, particularly when we played against Loughgall three times in a row.
"Ballyclare Comrades are the type of team that will raise its game we they see us in the other dressing room. That's something we constantly have to remind ourselves of - we are a big scalp for most teams in the league.
"But I am pleased with how we have responded lately and everyone is bursting to play. We have Paul McVeigh almost fully fit and we have Lucas Adamczyck back from his holiday in Poland. On top of that Ciaran Gargan has weighed in with 11 goals so far and Stephen O'Neill has scored 10 - so competition for goals is increasing.
"Traditionally, we are always stronger in the second-half of the season, so I will be expecting us to raise our game and focus on the aim of winning promotion back to the Premier League."
New signing Jim McMenimen will be included in Saturday's squad and McAllister has not ruled out more additions.
"At this moment I am happy with the size and quality of the squad and cannot see any reason to bring in new faces before the end of the season. But you never say never - our option to strengthen is always open."
Picture: Stephen O'Neill has scored 10 goals this season so far
