Skipper is thriving in his new advancedposition

But six points from six and two clean sheets later shows that it is working.

The Bannsiders skipper is thriving in his new role as he told Times Sport following Saturday’s excellent 2-0 win over Portadown.

“Oran has always said he would like to play me in a more advanced role, and to be honest I was always open to it,” he said.

“Having played centre half for the last few years this is a new challenge for me, but I look at it as a breath of fresh air. I love the battles going in there to win 60-40 tackles and the like, which are maybe battles we’ve lost in the past.

“I think it has helped us and it has also allowed the other lads to get on the ball and play.

“We’ve been very solid across the back in the last few games. Young Lyndon has come in and looks like he has played at this level all his life.

“Adam Mullan is the same, he’s like one of the experienced players now such is the level of his performance.

“I love the physical battles, that’s what I play for, especially up against someone like Michael Gault who is one of the best in the league and has been consistent over the last number of years.

“He unfortunately got himself sent off, he will probably look back at it now and think it was a bit stupid. I think he was just a but frustrated, like a lot of their players, because they were second to every ball,” he added.