A LOOK AHEAD TO THE 26/27 SEASON

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Carrick Rangers enter the new Boyle Sports Premiership season with expectations higher than ever before.

Last season will live long in the memory at Taylor’s Avenue. A seventh-place finish represented the club’s highest-ever Premiership position, while victory in the County Antrim Shield delivered the first major honour in the club’s history. It was a campaign that demonstrated just how far Carrick have come under Stephen Baxter.

The challenge now is proving it was not a one-off.

Unlike many of their rivals, Carrick have resisted the temptation to overhaul their squad. Instead, Baxter has largely kept faith with the group that enjoyed such a memorable campaign, adding quality where needed while maintaining the chemistry that served them so well last season.

Stability over revolution

Continuity has been the theme of Carrick’s summer.

There have been no major departures from the core of last season’s squad, allowing Baxter to build on an already successful foundation. That stability could prove invaluable during the opening weeks of the campaign, with players already familiar with one another and the manager’s expectations.

The additions that have been made are eye-catching.

Experienced defender Jordan Forsythe arrives from Crusaders, bringing leadership, composure and years of Premiership experience to an already organised back line. Meanwhile, Daire O’Connor has joined from Ballymena United and could prove to be one of the signings of the summer if he rediscovers his best form.

Perhaps the most significant piece of business, however, wasn’t a new signing at all.

Keeping Paul Heatley at the club for another season is a major boost. Even at 39 years of age, his quality in possession, creativity and ability to produce moments of magic remain among the very best in the league.

Three players to watch

Everything good about Carrick last season seemed to involve Danny Gibson.

The striker enjoyed a remarkable campaign, finishing as the club’s leading scorer with 20 goals while also providing 14 assists. Those numbers underline just how influential he has become, and if he can produce anything close to those figures again, Carrick will once more be difficult opponents for anyone.

At the other end of the pitch, captain Luke McCullough continues to set the standard.

The defender played every single minute of Carrick’s Premiership campaign last season, highlighting both his consistency and importance to the side. His leadership and reliability make him one of the first names on the teamsheet every week.

Then there is Paul Heatley.

Time may have caught up with many players approaching 40, but Heatley continues to prove age is just a number. His intelligence, technical ability and creativity remain exceptional, and his experience could once again make the difference in tight matches.

Biggest strength

Experience.

Few squads in the Premiership can match the level of experience Carrick Rangers possess. From Luke McCullough and Paul Heatley to Jimmy Callacher and Jordan Forsythe, Stephen Baxter has assembled a group of players who have experienced almost everything the Irish League can throw at them.

That know-how proved invaluable during last season’s historic campaign, helping Carrick remain composed in pressure situations and consistently pick up results when they mattered most.

While questions may be asked about the average age of the squad, there is no substitute for experience. Over the course of a long season, having players who understand how to manage games, respond to setbacks and handle big occasions could once again prove one of Carrick’s greatest assets.

Biggest question

Can an ageing squad produce another remarkable campaign?

There is no doubting the quality within Carrick’s dressing room, but several of their key players are now into the latter stages of their careers. Managing fitness across a long season will be crucial, particularly if injuries begin to mount.

If there is one manager capable of getting the very best from an experienced group, however, it is Stephen Baxter. His track record speaks for itself, and few coaches in Irish League football understand how to build competitive teams quite like he does.

What would success look like?

After last season’s achievements, expectations have naturally increased.

Breaking into the top six is a realistic ambition for this Carrick side, and anything close to another seventh-place finish would again represent an outstanding achievement given the resources available to the club. 

Carrick Rangers are no longer viewed as a club simply hoping to survive. Under Stephen Baxter, they have become genuine competitors capable of troubling any team in the division. The question now is whether this experienced squad has one more outstanding season left in it.