Kelbie not in plans for Carrick game

The Scottish striker has scored only one league goal since signing for the club in the summer and McAllister says that he won’t feature in Saturday’s match. The boss also issued a warning to the club’s other underperforming players and says that a lack of effort won’t be tolerated.

“It’s very doubtful that Kevin Kelbie will be flown in this week. We’re going to work on things in training this week and he won’t be there so he probably won’t be available for Saturday,” McAllister told the ‘MAIL.’

“That’s my decision as a manager. It’s nothing to do with the club or anybody else. He’s not in my plans for this Saturday.

“I will have no problems with being ruthless and making changes for the good of the club. I will accept players making mistakes but I won’t accept a lack of effort.

“Fans aren’t stupid either. They’ll accept players making mistakes but in the first half against Glentoran, for example, it was totally unacceptable.

“Our players got outworked and outbattled by a team that wanted it more. I can guarantee that that won’t happen as long as I’m in charge of the club. No team will want to win more than we do.”

The former Donegal Celtic boss, who takes charge of his first Glenavon match on Saturday afternoon, knows that three points are a must if they are to begin to turn round their season.

“Our only focus now is getting three points against Carrick Rangers on Saturday. It’s the only thing I’ve been thinking about,” he said.

“Three points is a must because it would take us off the bottom of the table. It won’t paper over the cracks in terms of the long-term solution but it’s one game at a time and then we’ll see what happens after that.

“I will demand that the team I put out on Saturday will give Glenavon Football Club 100% to get three points. I expect a big response from the players in the time I’m there.

“I went and watched Carrick two weeks ago against Coleraine. They started off well in the first half and could have been two or three up. I’ve seen enough of them to realise that they pose a threat but I’m very confident that we can go there and get three points.

“I’m looking forward to taking charge. I’m disappointed with the way things have worked out with Marty but the club must come first. I’ll give everything I can to get a result on Saturday first of all, and then I’ll talk to the board again to see what direction they want to go in.”

Coming in to help the interim boss for Saturday’s game will be the club’s reserve manager, Gerard McMahon:

“Gerard’s well respected throughout the club and we’ll take the team for Saturday’s game,” told McAllister.

“If I’m kept on by the club, I’ll probably bring in somebody else as well but that’s something for the future that will be dealt with if the time comes. I have no hesitation for him to come on board with me.”