JAMIE McGonigle says he has been impressed by the club’s recent recruitment ahead of today’s trip to Carrick Rangers…

A total of five new players joined the ranks in the January transfer window as Patrick Burns, Levi Ives, Charles Dunne, Ronan Doherty and Declan McManus made the move to The Showgrounds.

McGonigle partnered McManus in attack during Tuesday night’s draw against Cliftonville and admitted he has been impressed by what he has seen so far.

“They are all really good signings and it shows you the intent of where the club wants to go,” he said.

“Playing with Declan the other night…his goal record speaks for itself and I don’t need to say it again.

“It was good to play with him for the first time and we are only learning about each other but I really enjoyed it.

“Everybody in the squad has their own qualities and leaders are different, whether you’re a talker – which isn’t me – but it’s maybe how you prepare.

“There’s loads of leaders in the changing room.”

After suffering an Irish Cup exit to Dungannon Swifts last weekend, McGonigle was pleased that he and his team-mates showed a response in the goalless draw against the Reds.

He stated: “There was big disappointment last Saturday but I think we had a good response on Tuesday night.

“It was good to get a clean sheet, I thought we were very solid defensively and hopefully we can build on that heading into Saturday.

“Whenever you have a result like last Saturday…it would be easy to go under and give up but we still have a European place to fight for so it was good to see a reaction.

“I’m feeling good and back to feeling myself.

“I haven’t had any niggles or knocks in the past couple of months, so hopefully it stays like that.”

Supporters can get tickets for today’s game HERE, whilst a cash gate will also be in operation.