Denver joins Glenavon

TEENAGE forward Denver Taggart has joined Glenavon from Lisburn Rangers.

The 18-year-old had been playing for Rangers in Division 1B – the third tier - of the Amateur League but has now been given his chance to prove his worth with the Lurgan Blues after they missed out on more experienced target Jamie Tomelty.

Tomelty, of course, joined Coleraine from Portadown earlier in the window and a lack of funds has meant that manager Gary Hamilton has been trawling the lower leagues looking for potential signings.

Taggart, who had scored five goals in the first 13 games of the season for Rangers, has now joined Glenavon and Hamilton says his team beat other clubs to the signature of the promising youngster who can play either up front or on either wing.

He said: “We’ve been watching him for a few weeks now. There have been a few clubs looking at him. He’s 18-years-old and he has a lot of developing to do. He’ll probably not come into the first team straight away but we’ll have a look at him and he’ll definitely play before the end of the season. “He’s come very highly recommended to us and has done well anytime we’ve watched him. He had the ability and is a player who is showing a lot of promise. He’s been playing in a lower league for a few years now and he’ll have to play a few reserve team games, get used to the players around him and then hopefully he’ll get his chance in the first team.”

The boss did confirm that he had missed out on former Linfield winger Tomelty after not being able to afford his wages.

“We wanted to sign Jamie Tomelty but we weren’t able to get anywhere near him in terms of his financial demands,” he said.

“We weren’t able to offer what he was looking. Of course we want to bring in players of his ability but it all comes down to money and unfortunately we’re not able to compete with teams in the top six. That’s the way it is and we have to get on with it.”

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