Interim boss Gary Haveron believes his side deserved more for their efforts in Ljubljana after ten-man Larne suffered another agonising UEFA Conference League blow against Olimpija.
A stunning defensive display from the visitors frustrated the Slovenian League leaders for 68 minutes of the game, limiting their hosts to practically nothing by way of clear-cut chances until Ivan Durdov’s header settled the tie.
It leaves Larne – who had Sean Graham bizarrely sent off late for a second yellow card – still without a point for their efforts after their fourth straight Conference League defeat but Haveron, who filled in for the night after Tiernan Lynch’s departure and before new boss Nathan Rooney takes over today, was still proud of what they produced in Ljubljana.
“Disappointed is the overriding feeling, I suppose, because we came here with a game plan, we were so disciplined, we were so structured in how we wanted to play,” he praised.
“The discipline and the effort the boys put into that performance deserved more than they probably got.
“To concede from a set-piece is obviously a disappointment, though they have a lot of aerial threats. But overall I’m incredibly proud of the team, the players, the club, how we’ve handled this all and how we’ve represented the Irish League tonight.
“Proud is the overriding feeling.”
It is clear to see that after heavy losses to Molde and Shamrock Rovers in their opening two games that Larne have adjusted to life amongst the European elite, pushing St. Gallen all the way in their previous match and now running Olimpija close, too.
While qualification for the knockouts may now be all but impossible – it would take a miracle for the Inver Reds to reach the next round but it is still mathematically possible – Haveron is encouraging his players to still try and take as much as they can from their final two games against Dinamo Minsk and Gent.
“It is a steep learning curve, the standard is incredible. The quality of the opposition we’re coming up against, the travelling is a factor, too,” he agreed.
“But we needed to learn, we needed to take everything we could from every game because we want to be back here again. We want to get back to the League and back challenging again because we want to make this something more for Larne Football Club and that’s the challenge.
“Can we go back and take everything we learned from the European campaign and put it into practice back home?”
It was a one-and-done situation for Haveron, who got the chance to be the main man for one night between Lynch’s departure and Rooney’s official takeover today, although the new boss did travel to Slovenia with his team even though he wasn’t in the dugout.
The interim boss will be sticking around as Rooney’s assistant, just as he was under Lynch, and he’s excited to get started with the Blackburn native ahead of Sunday’s clash with Cliftonville.
“I can’t wait until he comes in. He’s been a breath of fresh air since he came in. He’s got so much enthusiasm and energy and he’s going to be so good for the League. He’s got character, he’s a big personality and he’s very, very good at what he does,” said Haveron.
“He had a big impact when he came into the dressing room and just being around the boys the last couple of days. He spent time with every single player, spoke in-depth about what he wants from them and expects from them and how we’re going to be as a club moving forward.
“It’s exciting times at Larne Football Club.”
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