Carrick Rangers sign sought-after defender Damien McNulty from Finn Harps

Carrick Rangers have boosted their chances of remaining in the Northern Irish Premiership with signing of sought-after Finn Harps defender Damien McNulty and striker Brendan Glackin.

26-year-old McNulty had been expected to depart Finn Park after five years following Ollie Horgan's side's relegation to the second tier.

And his capture is a coup for Rangers boss David McAlinden, who boast the league's third-worst defensive record and second-worst goal difference ahead of bottom-placed Ballinamallard United.

“Damien is a big strong boy who will come in and give us defensive leadership,” McAlinden told the club's website.

“He’s a very good defender, I’ve known him since he was a young lad when I played against him or seen him playing from going to the odd Finn Harps game and I’m delighted to get him on board.”

McNulty began his career with local side Limavady United and moved on to current league leaders Coleraine before making the switch to Harps ahead of the 2013 season.

19-year-old striker Glackin has recently returned to Northern Ireland after spending two years in England at the Oldham Athletic academy.

The Northern Ireland under-19 international began his career with Linfield before joining Oldham as a 16-year-old.

He left Oldham in the summer to sign for Radcliffe Borough in the eighth tier of English football but suffered an ankle injury that's kept him out since October.

“Brendy is a goal scorer and he will score goals if we give him the opportunity, he’s always been the same,” said McAlinden.

“I’ve known him as a player when he went across to Oldham, he was doing well for them and unfortunately after a change of manager he was let go there.

“We’ve kept our interest quiet and has been on our radar for a little bit of time and once I knew we could get him on board, we moved quite quickly to get it done.”