Michael Harris signs an 18-month professional deal with Institute

Kevin Deery has praised Michael Harris for turning down offers elsewhere to stick with Institute by signing a new professional 18-month deal.

The 21-year-old made the move from Finn Harps to ‘Stute at the start of the season and has been an ever-present in the team, making 22 appearances in all competitions and scoring seven goals to date.

“There has been a bit of interest in a few of our players, Michael being one of them,” Deery explained. “He seems to be enjoying his football, he’s happy with how we’re shaping up and it’s a testament to himself that he’s turned down so-called bigger clubs than Institute to stay with the project we have so we’re delighted.

“He’s got seven goals and I’m sure if you asked him yourself, he would say he could have had another few with the chances we’ve created and the chances he’s had. He trains really well Michael, and he looks to improve his game all the time, so we’re delighted with his application, hence the reason why he’s got an extension and a professional deal.”

Harris, keen for first team football to make a name for himself in the game, has exactly the profile that Deeru and Mo Mahon were looking for when they first came to the club, with his determination to succeed benefitting ‘Stute.  

“We knew that Michael could improve loads and he’s doing that,” Deery continued. “Also, there’s a lot of other boys there in their first year of senior football who have surprised a lot of people. Myself and Mo knew what they were capable of, but they have really enjoyed the environment and the competitiveness, which is important because if you want to do well, you have to be competitive and a winner and w have that in spades.”

The New Year hasn’t exactly begun with a bang for Institute who have been a bit shy in front of goal, two league 0-0s coming alongside an Irish Cup tie with Crumlin Star which went all the way to extra time before a goal was scored. The 2-1 victory away at leaders Dundela has been the only real bright spot so far.

“We’re finishing games strongly and teams are definitely playing a different style against us now,” Deery reflected. “We like to play on the font foot and dominate the ball. For me, setting a team up to be defensive is far easier than setting a team up to be offensive. We’re certainly creating chances so we can’t fault the lads in any way.”

‘Stute have already beaten this week’s opponents, Ballyclare, twice this season, but that makes a third victory even more difficult to come by according to the manager.

“They have to play all their games away from home because they are getting a new 4G pitch, and their first home is away to us, so I know they will want to start off their away adventure with a win at the Brandywell so we have to be aware of that,” he continued.

“It’s important that we approach the game with a clear mind and don’t look like any of the previous results. In football, every game is different so we have to be slap bang at it to get the three points, and we certainly need to play better than we did against Annagh to get the three points.”

As many as six teams are in the hunt for promotion in the NIFL Championship, making each point from here on in vital.  

“It's a really tight division,” Deery agreed. “We have lost just six games this season, but we have started to draw a few games and were disappointed going away to Dundela and Annagh and getting four points from six, which shows you where we have got to with tis group. You have to stay grounded; we have a brand-new group because we have made a few signings and it’s about gelling them in. We just have to try and push on now for promotion.”