Glentoran goalkeeper Dániel Gyollai insists the squad is fully focused on bouncing back from BetMcLean Cup Final heartbreak as they return to Sports Direct Premiership action against Glenavon on Wednesday night at The BetMcLean Oval.
The Glens suffered a gut-wrenching 1-0 extra-time defeat to Cliftonville on Sunday with substitute Joe Gormley’s 99th-minute strike denying Declan Devine’s side a second piece of silverware this season.
Despite Gyollai’s heroic, man-of-the-match display, including a stunning fingertip save to deny Gormley in normal time, the Glens fell short in their bid to add to their Co Antrim Shield triumph earlier this campaign.
Now, with nine league games remaining, Gyollai and his teammates are determined to channel their Cup Final disappointment into securing automatic European qualification by cementing second place in the table.
Gyollai, who has been a standout performer throughout the campaign, is calling for a strong response from his teammates as they enter the final stretch of the season.
Dan Gyollai said: “We’re all hurting after Sunday. It was an intense, end-to-end game, almost like a basketball match at times, where it felt like one goal would decide it. Unfortunately, it went against us.
“But this squad is full of character and we have to show that now. The players feel the pain of the fans, the staff and everyone connected to this club, but we can’t let one game define our season. We’ve got nine more cup finals in the league and that starts with Glenavon on Wednesday night.
“We had a team meeting on Tuesday morning and Declan and the coaching staff were clear that we have to use this pain to spur us on for the rest of the season. Our objective is to finish second and secure European football. That’s what we’re determined to deliver.”
With a significant squad rebuild last summer, key additions in January and Declan Devine navigating his first full season in charge, Glentoran have made tremendous strides this season. Now, with just nine league games remaining, the challenge is to deliver a strong finish and secure European qualification.
Gyollai said: "We’ve come a long way as a group in a short space of time. A lot of us arrived in the summer, and we’ve had to gel quickly. Declan is building something here, but he has said himself that this is just the start and we still have so much improving to do to reach the level he wants us to be at.
“However, to already have one trophy in the bag, push Cliftonville all the way in another cup final and be in this position in the league, is real signs of promise - if you’d offered us that at the start of the season, we’d have taken it."
"But now, we have to see it through. Securing European football would be massive for the club and for this group of players. We have an opportunity, and we have to take it. There’s no point in putting ourselves in this position if we don’t make it count over these final nine games."
Wednesday night’s fixture marks the third meeting between the sides this season. In September, Glenavon frustrated Glentoran in a goalless draw at The BetMcLean Oval, while the return fixture at Mourneview Park in November saw the Glens produce a dominant 3-0 victory.
However, Gyollai is expecting a different test this time around, with Glenavon showing signs of promise under Paddy McLaughlin as they push for a late charge into the top six.
Dan said: "Glenavon have really improved under Paddy McLaughlin, picking up some impressive results and we know they’ll come here determined to make it difficult for us and get something from the game."
"We’ve analysed their set-up, and they carry a real attacking threat with players like Peter Campbell, David McDaid and Michael O’Connor, who are all capable of making a difference in the final third. We’ll need to be switched on from the first whistle and make sure we manage those threats effectively."
"Defensively, they’re also well-drilled and don’t give much away, so patience and quality in our attacking play will be key. It’s important that we impose ourselves early and take our chances when they come.
Glentoran face a demanding run of fixtures in the weeks ahead as they approach the Sports Direct Premiership split. However, Gyollai insists the squad is firmly focused on ensuring they finish the season in the strongest possible position.
Gyollai concluded: "We know we’ve got a hectic run of games coming up, but we have to keep pushing hard to put a strong run of results together that will secure second place."
"We’ve got a fantastic group of players in this squad and with Declan, Paddy, Tim and Elliott, we have a coaching team that will keep driving us forward every single day. They won’t allow us to dwell on setbacks and as players, we are determined to respond in the right way.
“The fans have backed us all season and we want to repay that faith by finishing the campaign as strongly as possible and giving them something to celebrate.”
For Glentoran fans planning to attend the Sports Direct Premiership fixture against Glenavon tickets are available for purchase at: https://www.glentoran.com/match-tickets-home-fans.