ROSS ALLEN is set for his senior Muratti debut in Alderney tomorrow. The 20-year-old son of former island star Craig and grandson of late-50s Muratti man Barry Hill, has been drafted into the 17-man squad and island coach Steve Ogier has not ruled out starting with him.
Ogier, clearly, is unhappy with the side’s lack of goals this season.
‘I could be talking to you having played three, won three. But we are a bit goal-shy at the moment. We are creating the chances.
‘He [Allen] is looking sharp in training and he’s proven at under-18 level.’
Remarkably, Ogier has named six strikers and that list does not include Dave Rihoy, who played up front against the Navy.
Ogier, who will not be travelling to Alderney due to a clash with the final part of his Uefa A badge qualification, does not want a repeat of 2005 when Guernsey nervously edged past the Ridunians 2-1.
‘We’ve got to pick a side who can do a job up there.
‘We’ve got to go up there with the right attitude and we must not be complacent. We will give them the respect they deserve.’
Ogier said he was disappointed at missing the game, but said he had little choice and he had every faith in Tony Vance, his number two, who will step into the hot seat for the day.
Both Ogier and island under-18 coach Paul Ockleford are very keen to put the finishing touches to a major financial investment in reaching the prestigious qualification.
‘We are in Bristol from Friday morning to Sunday night, but if we don’t do it now, we will be waiting to next Christmas again.
‘Unfortunately it has fallen on the weekend of the Muratti but I’ve got complete faith in Tony and the lads [Jarrod Avery and Mike Thomas].’
Rangers’ star Allen only recently returned from Florida and said he always hoped to be in contention for a senior island place having featured at schoolboy and under-18 level.
‘It’s just what I needed.
‘It gives me the chance to play at a higher stadard that bit more.
‘I’d love to start but it would be good just to get on.’
Article posted on 16th March, 2007 - 12.00am
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