Bannsiders aim to bounce back

Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says he and his players will show Carrick Rangers the utmost respect when they visit the Showgrounds this weekend.

The Bannsiders are looking to get back to winning ways following last week's defeat to Glentoran and many will see Saturday's game as a good opportunity to do that.

However, Higgins points to the trophy-laden career of Carrick boss Stephen Baxter and a visiting team chock full of experience as just some of the reasons why his side can't take anything for granted.

"All you have to do is look at their centre back pairing – Jimmy Callacher and Luke McCullough – two lads, hugely experienced, who have had brilliant careers," he said.

"Billy Joe Burns, all these lads, right through the spine of the team. There's experience everywhere - and a lot of trophies.

"They're all lads that know their way about and have plenty of know-how, so it's important that we respect that and it's important that our supporters respect what we're coming up against.

"You look at the start to the season they've had. They had a brilliant run to start with, they've had a few draws and maybe the odd defeat, but we know what we're coming up against – a really experienced team with a lot of quality.

"I have the utmost respect for the players and the manager and what he's done in the game. He deserves huge credit for what he's achieved.

"But we're at home in front of our home crowd and it's important that we respond in a really positive manner," added Higgins.

The Glentoran defeat was Coleraine's first of the campaign so, now, it's all about responding in the right manner, the way teams that have designs on winning silverware tend to do.

"I've no doubt about this group of players but it is really important that we respond to Friday night's defeat," continued the Bannsiders boss.

"The stats will back it up: when Linfield lose a game, more often than not their next game is a win and it's the same with Larne. We've got to become that type of team.

"We need the home support right behind us and for them to be really, really vocal because Friday under the lights against one of the so-called bigger clubs, naturally the atmosphere follows that.

"But 3pm on a Saturday, we need the fans right behind us as much as they were on Friday night.

"I have to say they have been absolutely outstanding, away from home as well, brilliant, travelling in great numbers.

"Hopefully we can continue our good form because there were still parts of Friday's game we were very happy with - parts weren't happy with - but we move on quickly.

"We analysed the game and had a meeting with the group and we know where we went wrong.

"It wasn't a case where the opposition opened us up. When you look at both goals we were the architects of our downfall so that was disappointing.

"For the second goal we had the ball with Aidan and then 15 seconds later it ends up in the back of our own net. We needed to be more calm and more composed in those moments but we've broke it down and went through it with the players.

"Their response this week so far has been exceptional. They've been really driven and that's the type of response you want to see as a manager

"I hope we can see the level of intensity in our game on Saturday because, if we do, we give ourselves a really good chance."