MARTIN Russell is set to make his competitive bow as Limerick FC manager on Sunday evening when the Super Blues travel to Sligo Rovers (kick-off 7pm).
Limerick’s opponents will come into the game on the back of a highly competitive Europa League qualifier against Rosenborg, with the Bit O’ Red hoping for another famous result at The Showgrounds this Thursday night.
Russell has been made to wait for his first league game as Limerick boss, as the home match against Derry City scheduled for last Friday was postponed due to the Candystripes’ European commitments.
Having instead had the best part of a fortnight to work with the squad in training, in addition to overseeing a 2-1 friendly win over QPR under 21s at UL on Tuesday, the former UCD manager is now keen to get into the thick of the action.
“I’m looking forward to getting going for a few games. There’s a lot of work to be done to the end of the season and we’re looking for progression here at Limerick.
“I’ve been assessing the squad over the past few days. I’ve implemented some ideas and we’ve been putting them into practice. The application from the players has been great so far. We’ve only had a couple of friendlies but they’ve been a step in the right direction and it’s given me a chance to look at all of the players.”
Limerick come into the Sligo match on a run of three consecutive defeats in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, with the eighth-placed Super Blues among a tight cluster of teams in the bottom half of the table. Russell stated that he had been looking at possible transfer targets, but admitted that it would be a challenge to make new signings in mid-season.
“I’ve identified a couple of players but it’s a difficult time to get players in as many of them are under contract. At the end of the season we’ll have a clearer idea of what’s out there.”
