MURTAGH CAN'T WAIT FOR LIVERPOOL GAME
Rob Griffiths - Daily Post

CONALL MURTAGH admits that it is matches like tomorrow's encounter with Premiership giants Liverpool that persuaded him to make the step up to the professional ranks.

Murtagh, who still has one year left on a degree course, was regarded as being among the top players in the Welsh Premier while at Rhyl and Connah's Quay Nomads, and it was that form which saw Brian Carey come in for the former Northern Ireland under-21 international and bring him to the Dragons.

And while he is yet to even kick a ball at the Racecourse, Murtagh could see his home debut coming tomorrow against Liverpool in the first of the Dragon's pre-season matches.

"It really would be a dream come true," said Murtagh. "I have to admit I am a Manchester United fan, but there are a few of the Liverpool midfielders, like Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso that I look up to, so I am really looking forward to getting a run out. If I'm included of course."

Wrexham entertain the Champions League runners up at the Racecourse tomorrow which will be the fourth time in as many years the Reds have visited the Dragons in pre-season.

Murtagh added: "It's games like these that make you want to come to a club like Wrexham.

"Not just playing Liverpool in a pre-season game, but also the chance of going on a good cup run and drawing a big team."

Since his move from the non-league scene, Murtagh admitted the jump was not an easy one, but one he was starting to come to terms with.

"I think I've settled in quite well," he said. "And the lads have been great and made it pretty easy for me to adjust to life in the Football League.

"They're all a great bunch of lads and I am really enjoying my time at Wrexham. The manager is dead-on, as are all the boys in the club. You can get some managers that aren't the nicest, but Brian has been absolutely quality."

And with the new season only a matter of a few weeks away, midfielder Murtagh, 22, has revealed the Dragons' training is steadily starting to be stepped up.

He said: "Pre-season training has been quite intense, but pre-season is always very intense and hard, but all the work we are putting in is for a reason and that's to make sure we are not in the same position next season as last season.

"One thing I have noticed at the club is that no-one wants to be in the same position next season, and I think all the boys are that much more determined to make sure we have a good season."

Meanwhile, fans have until tonight (6pm) to get their tickets for tomorrow's first pre-season match of the summer when Wrexham play host to Liverpool.

The match is all-ticket and for safety reasons no tickets can be sold on the day of the game.

So far 11,000 tickets have been sold, with Liverpool taking up their entire 3,500 allocation.

STEVE HAPPY TO BE BACK TO BUSINESS
Richard Williams - Wrexham Evening Leader

STEVE EVANS has admitted it was good to be back - even if he had only enjoyed a short break from football.

Steve Evans returned for the official start of pre-season training with Wrexham on Monday, just four weeks after completing his latest spell on international duty with Wales.

Having helped Wrexham avoid relegation on the final day of last season with a 3-1 victory against Boston United, centre-back Evans, voted the Reds' Player of the Year, then turned his attention to Wales.

Now a regular member of John Toshack's squad, Evans featured in the 2-2 friendly draw against New Zealand at The Racecourse on May 26, and was an unused substitute in Wales' 0-0 Euro 2008 qualifier draw against the Czech Republic in Cardiff a week later.

And although Evans, who made 34 league starts for Wrexham last term, has had little time away from the game, the 28-year-old is pleased to be back and eager to ensure the Reds enjoy a more successful time when the new season begins.

"I have not had much of a break but it is good to be back," said Evans today. "All the lads have returned fresh and raring to go again. We have just got to get ourselves to full fitness and get ready for the new season.

"Everything is moving in the right direction here.

"Last season, we massively under-achieved and we don't want to be in that position again. Everyone believes we can go on and do well this year."

Wrexham's first pre-season friendly in against Liverpool at The Racecourse on Saturday and most of manager Brian Carey's senior professionals are expected to feature at some stage.

And Evans said the fact that Carey has assembled a bigger squad over the summer will give the Reds' boss some welcome problems next season.

"The games are coming thick and fast and it is going to be an interesting season," added Evans. "The gaffer has got a lot of headaches this season because it is a big squad but is the kind of problem he won't mind."