Shiels believes Smyth should be focusing on securing a cross channel move

Dean Shiels feels Oisin Smyth should be focusing on trying to secure a cross-channel move if he opts to leave Dungannon Swifts.

The 21-year-old midfielder has impressed this season, and has been linked with a transfer out of Stangmore Park.

Linfield, Glentoran and Larne are reportedly keen on Smyth, who is a Northern Ireland under-21 international, and could firm up their interest next month.

Shiels, however, does not think he will move in January – and feels that if Smyth does decide to leave Dungannon in the future, he should be aiming higher than the Irish League.

“Oisin’s done well and I made him captain when I arrived at the club and I have a lot of faith in him,” he said.

“I can’t see him moving. We are a club that tries to get players across the water, if Oisin can become more consistent he has a chance.

“I don’t think there’s any team here that can come in and take him but I hope Oisin can get a move across the water and can have a bright future.

“He’s still young and I’d be delighted if he could get a move across the water. Locally, I can’t see it, to be honest.”

Smyth was part of the Dungannon team that lost 4-0 at Crusaders on Saturday.

The Crues were 3-0 up at half-time after goals from Josh Robinson, Ross Clarke and Ben Kennedy. Kennedy then added a fourth in the second half.

Shiels admitted the absence of several key players, including defender Keith Cowan and midfielder Darragh McBrien, had made it difficult.

“It was a poor performance from us – we are too inconsistent,” he added. “We are missing three or four players today and that makes the task even harder.”

Dungannon are next in action against Ballymena on Saturday, while last Tuesday’s game against Warrenpoint, postponed due to the weather, has been rescheduled for December 21.

Shiels said it is key they pick up points from those games.

Crusaders, meanwhile, have moved within seven points of leaders Cliftonville after Saturday’s win.

Boss Stephen Baxter felt they were ruthless, adding: “Four goals without reply is always good.

“I was pleased with the manner of the performance; we’ve hit the woodwork twice and had three or four other big chances in the game.

“We were very dominant, we passed the ball great and we got into good areas.

“We just had that quality about us today, that look about us – a ruthless determination and focus in our game.”