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GLENAVON striker Mark Miskimmin admits his new-look team face a ‘baptism of fire’ against title holders Linfield in the Carling Premiership opener at Mourneview Park on Saturday. Lurgan Blues boss Marty Quinn has revamped the club over the summer months – drafting in no fewer than 10 new signings. He also showed the door to a number of established players that failed to meet the criteria last term. Hotshot Kevin Kelbie was snapped up from Morton, while Quinn moved quickly to sign Newry City’s Peter McCann, goalkeeper Andy Coleman, Conor Hagan and Alan Davidson. Experienced keeper Davy O’Hare was brought in from Coleraine, along with Jonathan Magee (Crusaders) and Niall Henderson (Dungannon Swifts).
“It’s certainly all change,” said Miskimmin. “I’m really looking forward to playing with Kevin up front. He’s a totally different player from Tony Grant, who moved on after serving the club so well on two occasions. “Tony liked the ball played into the channels. “But Kevin likes it played to feet – he’s great at holding it up and bringing others into play. He can turn defenders so easily” Miskimmin concedes there is better ‘harmony’ in the dressing room with the new breed. “We have all gelled really well in pre-season,” he adds. “The dressing room wasn’t a totally happy place, for different reasons, last season – it was divided.
“But that is now in the past. There is a lot more positivity about the squad – everyone wants to do well for the club. “We played in a pre-season tournament in Stranraer, which was a great bonding exercise.m“The boss has brought in a lot of talent.m“What’s more, most of the lads are now local . . . the likes of Peter McCann, Conor Hegan and Nial Henderson. We can’t wait to get started.”, Miskimmin is relishing the prospect of facing his former employers in Saturday’s opener. “They don’t come any bigger,” he adds. “It’s probably the team that no one wanted, but on the other hand, it is probably the best time to play them. “Basically, we must be 100 per cert focussed – and hope the Blues will take a bit of time to settle into their stride. It’s a massive test for us.
“Linfield have made a number of significant signings over the summer. “Bringing in the likes of Rory Patterson, Daryl Fordyce, Albert Watson and Gary Browne will make them even strong this season. “The expectation levels at Windsor Park are way above any other club in the league – I’ve been there to experience that. “But it’s up to the rest of us to match that. “They are always in the hunt for the title and their record at winning it is second to none. “They are beatable – hopefully we can prove that on Saturday. “But we know we will have to be at our best and put everything into the performance against the Blues to beat them.”
“It’s certainly all change,” said Miskimmin. “I’m really looking forward to playing with Kevin up front. He’s a totally different player from Tony Grant, who moved on after serving the club so well on two occasions. “Tony liked the ball played into the channels. “But Kevin likes it played to feet – he’s great at holding it up and bringing others into play. He can turn defenders so easily” Miskimmin concedes there is better ‘harmony’ in the dressing room with the new breed. “We have all gelled really well in pre-season,” he adds. “The dressing room wasn’t a totally happy place, for different reasons, last season – it was divided.
“But that is now in the past. There is a lot more positivity about the squad – everyone wants to do well for the club. “We played in a pre-season tournament in Stranraer, which was a great bonding exercise.m“The boss has brought in a lot of talent.m“What’s more, most of the lads are now local . . . the likes of Peter McCann, Conor Hegan and Nial Henderson. We can’t wait to get started.”, Miskimmin is relishing the prospect of facing his former employers in Saturday’s opener. “They don’t come any bigger,” he adds. “It’s probably the team that no one wanted, but on the other hand, it is probably the best time to play them. “Basically, we must be 100 per cert focussed – and hope the Blues will take a bit of time to settle into their stride. It’s a massive test for us.“Linfield have made a number of significant signings over the summer. “Bringing in the likes of Rory Patterson, Daryl Fordyce, Albert Watson and Gary Browne will make them even strong this season. “The expectation levels at Windsor Park are way above any other club in the league – I’ve been there to experience that. “But it’s up to the rest of us to match that. “They are always in the hunt for the title and their record at winning it is second to none. “They are beatable – hopefully we can prove that on Saturday. “But we know we will have to be at our best and put everything into the performance against the Blues to beat them.”
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