Rooney hails 'lift' provided by Millar return

Leroy Millar joined Larne from Ballymena United in the summer of 2022

Larne manager Nathan Rooney has hailed the "lift" that the return of midfielder Leroy Millar after a lengthy period out through injury has provided for his squad.

The former Ballymena player came off the bench to scored his side's fourth goal in a 5-0 BetMcLean Cup quarter-final win over Annagh United on Wednesday night.

Millar was a pivotal figure as Larne secured the first league titles in their history and was named Irish Premiership Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season.

He has been out of action since April with a groin injury however.

"Everything that he gives you, even before he steps on the pitch - you get the lift, you get the presence," said Rooney of his influential returning player.

"It's now getting some more work into Leroy and making sure he's up to speed over the coming weeks and hopefully we can get him to peak over the busy Christmas period."

'Building on progress made'

The recently appointed Larne boss began his tenure with a 1-1 Premiership draw with Cliftonville and faces a continuation of the club's busy schedule of fixtures across several fronts in the coming weeks - playing catch-up in terms of league matches, two more Conference League games, a League Cup semi-final and a County Antrim Shield final.

"We've added, but we've also continued to build on the great progress made as well," explained the former Bruno's Magpies manager of his approach to the job.

"We're clear, we've got loads of clarity going on with our prep and obviously we've just got to add a little bit more to our game in different ways.

"We need to keep that feelgood factor around the building as we transition slowly. The team will look slightly different over the course of the next two windows, maybe the style and the intensity, but if things aren't broken then continue with it and if they are then bring your own way."

Rooney has already been impressed by young players in his squad, such as Dylan Sloan and Matty Lusty, who grabbed a hat-trick in the victory over Annagh.

"They're embracing a new voice, different words of terminology in how the training structure looks and obviously the boys have got good careers ahead of them.

"They've got to be a sponge, take on as much information and input new things into their game.

"That's the mindset that we've got and I remind the players if they add to their game they're going to be better players in the long run."

Larne are away to Loughgall on Saturday as they seek to improve on their current ninth position and cut their 16-point deficit to league leaders Linfield, on whom they have four games in hand.