Vikings put faith in youth

Jan 10 2008 by Ian Cheveau, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

VIKINGS boss Steve McCormack is predicting big things from his youngsters in the coming season.

McCormack has pointed to Widnes’s young guns like Dayne Donoghue and Michael Ostick being rising stars of the future.

Although they have sizeable boots to fill, he is expecting them to step up to the mark in senior rugby.

He said: “We have some talented young players here and it is only right to give them a chance and they are training really, really well.

“All the young lads have stepped up but I’m expecting a big season from Michael Ostick and he can cope with it.

“I don’t want to put any pressure on him but he plays in a position (prop) where you need to be strong and he has that and I know he will do well.”

McCormack added the club is scouring the globe to bring in quality players in time for the big Co-operative National League One kick-off against Batley.

McCormack revealed the club is talking to players in a bid to lure them to Stobart Stadium Halton but insists he will not be forced into panic buying before Widnes’s first game at Mount Pleasant on Good Friday, March 21.

He said: “We are still a few players short and I know that. We know the start of the season is two months away and we have the Northern Rail Cup to think about before then, so there’s time to bring new faces in before we start the campaign.”

McCormack admitted his toughest job is to bring in a specialist number seven but says he and new sporting director Terry O’Connor have been burning the midnight oil to make that a reality.

He said: “I knew the moment I came back to Widnes that we needed a scrum-half. I know that more than anyone.

“We are in the process of identifying individuals in that position.

“Terry has come in and been a terrific help for me in that and he is using his contacts as well to get us a quality scrum-half. He’s put in about 70 hours this past week in his new role.”

Weekly News Sport understands the club has been in touch with contacts Down Under with the aim of signing a half-back.

However, McCormack is also aware he needs to strengthen on the flanks as the Vikings are also desperately short of centres.

He added: “We are casting the net far and wide to bring players in in certain positions and we hope to do that as soon as possible, really.”

McCormack didn’t rule out a move for disgruntled or out-of-favour Super League stars if they were to become available in the loan window.

He even claimed he would like to coach former Vikings Oli Wilkes, Scott Grix and Damien Blanch again but predicted the trio will be a huge hit with Wakefield Wildcats.

He added: “We are not ruling anything in or out at this stage.

“We are talking to a few Super League clubs about players. We are allowed four players on loan at a time and three from any one club.

‘We have built up excellent contacts with various Super League clubs over the years and they know what we are looking for.

“If we could take Oliver, Damien and Scott back then I would love to have them back. But I know they will do well in Super League and it’s good to see as we have always encouraged player development.”

Widnes Vikings Rugby League Museum won’t be open again until Friday, February 15.

Due to on-going building work in the North Stand at Stobart Stadium Halton, the East Stand, where the museum is housed, is needed for an Everton game this week and Widnes Vikings matches against Wigan Warriors on January 27 and Leigh on February 10.