Vikings ready for one of the biggest challenges

10:20am Wednesday 21st May 2008

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VIKINGS boss Steve McCormack believes his side's retention of the Northern Rail Cup could rest on this weekend's clash with Celtic Crusaders.

The Welshmen dished out Widnes's only league defeat of the season last month during a nail-biting encounter at Stobart Stadium Halton.

And McCormack admitted his men will have to be at the top of their game if they are to defend their crown.

"This is obviously one of the biggest challenges you can have in this competition," he said.

"Celtic are a very good team, but if we can beat them we have a tremendous opportunity. I can't wait to get over there and see what we can do."

McCormack watched on in horror as his side made life hard to overcome Sheffield Eagles on Sunday.

"I was a bit disappointed to be honest," he said. "The most important thing was to get the win, but it was like pulling teeth at times.

"We need to be able to finish off our plays and grab more points. We need to be able to finish teams off instead of making it difficult for ourselves.

"We kept getting caught with the ball near their try line and it is something we cannot afford to keep doing.

"Sheffield are a good team and we can't disrespect them, but we certainly didn't play as well as we could have."

Celtic will certainly feel they have the psychological edge over the cup holders, having securing victory in Vikings' backyard.

However, the Widnes coach believes the defeat will have no bearing on proceedings.

"That has happened and we have moved on," he said. "We don't feel we have anything to prove or that they have the edge on us.

"We will not be after revenge. Getting beat is part of sport and you have to learn from it and move forward.

"What happens on Sunday will only be a reflection of how far we have come as a squad in such a short space of time."

Meanwhile, Vikings look set be without teenage centre Jason Crookes for Sunday's clash at Brewery Field, kick off 3pm, after he was injured in a car crash on Sunday morning.

The 19-year-old suffered minor injuries, but looks almost certain to miss the tie with whiplash.