‘Crusaders were great, we were rubbish’ – Carrick boss Stuart King

Carrick boss Stuart King shows his frustration on the sideline

CARRICK Rangers boss Stuart King admits he has apology to make to the club’s new major shareholder Michael Smith when he arrives later this week.

On the day the American businessman announced his takeover, Rangers crashed to an embarrassing 9-0 defeat to Crusaders at Seaview.

Smith, the chief information officer at The Estee Lauder Companies, is due to jet in tomorrow to rubber stamp is commitment to the east Antrim club — and also take in the team’s Sports Direct Premiership clash with Linfield at Windsor Park on Saturday.

But King will have a bit of explaining to do — his team’s showing on the Shore Road was below par and totally out of character.

“I stood on the side line (at Seaview), and felt hurt,” moaned King. “I was never beaten nine-nil before either as player or manager. But I have big broad shoulders; we must suck it up and get on with it.

“I must find an answer to lift the players... that’s my job. I must take responsibility. I’ve learnt from the best (managers), that’s what they would have done. I’ll assume they (the players) were distracted by what was going on off the pitch in terms of the takeover, but we must now regroup.

“It was really poor... the Crues were great, we were rubbish. I talked all week about tracking runners. The first three goals, no-one tracked the runner, it was ridiculous. It was so easy for them.

“The consequences are on me. I’ll deal with it, we’ll take in on the chin and move on. The same group of lads have been brilliant for me since I’ve been manager at the football club. They have helped improved the club and everything about it. Hopefully, we’ll not be judged on our performance away to Crusaders.”

On Smith’s arrival