Kieran Offord may only have been in the Irish League for three months but he has already made a big impression. The 20-year-old, who is on loan at Crusaders from St Mirren, has netted six times in his opening 12 games.
The striker hit the ground running netting in his first four games including the draw against tonight's opponents Cliftonville. Offord suffered a bit of a lean streak in front of goal before bouncing back with against Larne and Ballymena United in his last two games.
He was delighted to get up and running again with his spectacular strike against the Sky Blues one he is particularly proud of.
READ NEXT: Declan Caddell wary of the threat Cliftonville's 'Mr Reliable' poses to Crusaders
READ NEXT: Irish League goalkeeper says late switch between the sticks has helped his career
"Saturday's goal is probably my favourite one so far," said Offord. "It's good to be back in amongst them to be honest and it's goals which are helping the team as well, which is the main thing.
"I've enjoyed it since minute one. I scored in my first couple of games and wanted to keep the run going, but I was out of the goals for a while there. In our forward position confidence is key, if you can get a run of goals it helps and sometimes a goal can make a bad performance look much better.
“In some games I have performed better and not scored but it’s better to score, regardless of performance. Confidence is one of the biggest factors and the staff have been so good with me - when I wasn’t scoring, they had belief in me and knew the goals would come.”
"Since I'd already scored goals before I knew I was capable of doing it. When they aren't coming for you or you're missing chances, the gaffer and staff were really good with me and encouraged me. They always told me the goals were going to come and luckily enough they are coming now and I'll try to continue that."
Crusaders boss Declan Caddell has been delighted with Offord's contribution, but it hasn't come as a surprise.
"I knew he would (make an impact)," said Caddell. "He has came in, settled in well and gives us a different dynamic that we haven't had at the club for the past load of years with someone with pace, strength and aggression up top that's an absolute workhorse.
"Kieran is pivotal to what we do at the club at the minute, drags everyone with him and is constantly a goalscoring threat. With the goals he has scored you can forget the assists he has this season which have been pivotal as well. I'm chuffed and he knows that.
"His head was probably down over the last month not scoring the goals he wanted to but it was a case of keep doing what you're doing and it'll fall into place again, and thankfully it has."
Join Belfast Live’s new Irish League WhatsApp group. Click this link to receive the latest Irish League headlines and breaking news direct to your phone. We also treat our members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our group, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice
English (United States) ·