Monday 27th December 2021
Kick Off 3.00pm
Tomorrow afternoon we head across town for a Boxing Day game that will determine which of Belfast’s Big Two ends 2021 at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership table.
Since losing to Crusaders at Seaview in mid-November, Linfield have won five of their last six league games to return to the top of the table, the only blot being the shock 1-1 draw with basement side Warrenpoint at The National Stadium 2 weeks ago. Linfield currently boast the meanest defence in the IPL, with just nine goals conceded in their nineteen games played so far. They have, however, scored six less than Glentoran; their total of thirty-three leaving them tied in second with Larne.
Manager David Healy will be hoping that Striker Christy Manzinga - who netted his 14th goal of the season with the winner in Tuesday night’s win over Ballymena - will be fit enough to start after limping off late on in the game against the Braidmen. On a brighter note for Healy, he was able to welcome midfielders Jamie Mulgrew and Cameron Palmer back to the substitutes bench for the Ballymena game and both may now come into contention for a starting place, with Stephen Fallon having missed out on Tuesday after being substituted during last Saturday’s win at Larne.
Last season’s league fixtures between the sides at the National Stadium ended with one draw and one Glentoran victory. The draw was a pulsating 3-3 in late November last year; Glentoran had looked in trouble when going down to 10 men and trailing 2-1 after 67 minutes, but a sublime Jay Donnelly finish 2 minutes later brought the sides level before Robbie McDaid stunned the Blues with a great breakaway goal 3 minutes from time that looked set to bring all 3 points back to the Oval, only for Jimmy Callacher to thump home a last gasp header that forced a share of the points. The second encounter in February, while much less eventful, provided a much more satisfying bit of late drama; with Conor McMenamin’s 91st minute effort sailing over the head of goalkeeper Chris Johns to secure a 1-0 win.
Mick McDermott: “I’m thoroughly looking forward to this match. So are the players and I want to let them enjoy the occasion.
We deserved the three points we got at Coleraine on Wednesday. We scored two good goals and we could have had two more at least. Coleraine are a good team. They are well managed, well organised and they move the ball well. But it was our night and, if we keep playing like that, there will be more occasions like that.
We defended well and we were resolute. It’s always good to keep a clean sheet. I thought we managed the game well. I always say if we don’t concede we will win the game because of the boys we have at the top end of the pitch, so the win was a credit to the players.
It sets us up nicely for the big game against Linfield. I don’t really look at how many wins we have achieved or how many games we are undefeated.
We are on a good run of form. We have a tough programme — six games in a row against the top six teams — but we are only looking at Linfield, nothing else. For the first time in years, Belfast’s biggest clubs are sitting at the top of the League, so I’m certainly not worried about the game. It will look after itself.
For those unable to attend, the game is being live streamed by Linfield tv. The cost is £7.50 and can be accessed HERE.
Supporters please remember the following key information for attending this match:
- The match is all-ticket, you will not get in without a valid ticket. No other documentation is required.
- All Glentoran supporters will be housed in the North Stand.
- PSNI recommend parking in the Apollo Road area especially for coaches
- Access the National Stadium from Boucher Road and enter the North stand from the turnstiles to the left of the leisure centre as you approach it.
- NO food or drink will be available inside the stadium due to Covid-19 regulations.
- Face coverings are recommended along with regular cleaning / sanitising of hands
- Please respect your club and fellow supporters and refrain from any offensive singing or chanting.
