AVOIDING COLIN MILLAR WINTER OF DISCONTENT

By Scullion backs Larne’s tight-knit squad to weather tough upcoming challenges

13.11.2018 LARNE winger David Scullion insists his side face a tough few months to test their Championship title credentials as autumn turns into winter.

The East Antrim side have dropped just four points from their opening 14 league games and lead second-placed Dundela by eight points, with Saturday’s win over Portadown opening a 16-point cushion to third.

“We always knew this upcoming Christmas period was going to be critical for us,” Scullion told Match On Tuesday.

“The deteriorating pitches might not suit our style of play but we are excited for it because it is a challenge for us and we want to show that we can battle and dig in too.

“We are aware teams will want to raise their performances against us and with each week it will get tougher, but we are ready for that because we know we cannot underestimate any teams.

“We are having to balance this with cup competitions but that builds into our momentum, and all these players want to knuckle down and prove any doubters wrong.

“It’s important to emphasise our team spirit and we are excited for every game, whether it’s a semi-final against Crusaders or a

Championship game, we approach it all in the right frame of mind.”

The former Dungannon, Glentoran and

Derry City winger is adamant Larne players are keen to prove their doubters wrong and their impressive form is in part due to wanting to repay the faith shown by the club’s owners and management team. “The atmosphere and spirit at this club is absolutely amazing,” added Scullion.

“We have a really strong bond not just throughout the squad but through to the coaches, the management and the owner Kenny Bruce, they have all helped instill that in us. “We all feel that we don’t want to let Tiernan or Kenny down because of the incredible work they are doing and what they have put into the club.

“The main thing is that everyone is really positive and optimistic, there isn’t one player who doesn’t bring something positive to the dressing room.

“Before the start of the season we maybe saw Portadown as our toughest challengers, so to come away with that performance and result was brilliant.

“We were professional from start to finish and we played some really good football, which was easy on the eye, and shows how high our confidence is at the moment.

“We are in a really good run of form so it was really important and pleasing to keep up that level and make sure we continue playing in this manner.”

Much has been spoken about how the club’s set-up, including a number of full-time players and tough training sessions, with Scullion believing it is helping to give the Inver Park outfit a cutting edge. “Tiernan [Lynch, left]

and his staff are pushing us hard in every training session,” he continued.

“We all know the standards of this club and how we must play well to retain our place in the team, so we have no time to think about any thoughts or words from outside the club.

“The players here are thriving under the demands and everyone is pushing each other along, and that is showing in the performances recently.

“We respect every team in this division but we have total faith in what we are doing, but that’s being driven into us through every training session.”

Now 34, Scullion has previously suffered from injury problems but he has explained how he now feels fresher and fitter than ever before.

“Last season was a good year for me but it was still disrupted by injuries, but now I’m feeling fit and touch wood I continue to stay injury free,” he added.

“That was all started by having a really good pre-season under my belt and Tiernan has been managing me well, resting me for midweek games, using substitutions well and making sure I stay right.

“Our pre-season was really tough and the trip to Andorra really benefitted me and others too, so it is good for us to be in this condition.

“Now I want to push on from this because I probably haven’t played quite as well as I could considering my fitness, but I feel like I’m keeping up with the younger guys who are completely full-time.”

Next up for Larne is a home clash with Limavady on Saturday, with a 3pm start at Inver Park.