Glentoran FC travel to Lakeview Park to face Loughgall FC in a crucial Sports Direct Premiership this Saturday afternoon (Kick-off: 3:00pm).
The Glens are aiming to build on the momentum of last Friday’s impressive 1-0 victory over Linfield, where captain Marcus Kane’s first-half goal and a resilient 10-man second-half performance secured a vital three points.
Declan Devine’s men will now look to string together a winning run of results, starting with a strong showing against Loughgall, who are battling to lift themselves off the bottom of the table.
The last meeting between the two sides in September ended in a 2-0 victory for Glentoran at the BetMcLean Oval, with goals from Jay Donnelly and Danny Amos.
Speaking ahead of the game, Devine called on his squad to carry forward the momentum from their win over Linfield and emphasised the need for consistency.
Devine said: “Last week demonstrated what this group is capable of. The fight and resilience we showed against Linfield, especially playing with 10 men in the second half, was outstanding.
“But there’s no point in beating one of our biggest rivals one week and then dropping points the next. We can’t allow that to happen.
“Loughgall may be at the bottom of the table, but they’re a team fighting for every point. We need to match their hunger and energy from the first whistle and ensure we play to our strengths.”
Devine also highlighted the importance of asserting control over the game with purposeful and disciplined play.
“We want to stamp our authority on this game from the outset, with every player winning their individual battles on the pitch.
“Last week’s result against Linfield proved our resilience, but now it’s about combining that with control, creativity, and clinical finishing to turn performances into consistent results.”
The Glentoran squad returned to training this week refreshed and focused after a well-earned break following their hard-fought victory over Linfield.
With Jonny Russell returning to action last week and James Singleton signing a new two-and-a-half-year contract, there is a sense of determination within the squad to push on and climb the table.
Devine added; “The lads came back into training with real hunger and focus. They are determined to kick on and use last week’s result as a springboard to push us further up the table.
“Having Jonny Russell back in the mix is a massive lift for us, and Singo signing a new deal is fantastic news for the club. His commitment is a real statement of intent and shows the direction we’re heading as a team.”
