Highly rated defender MJ Kamson-Kamara says he is beginning to feel at home at The BetMcLean Oval as he embraces the challenge of Irish League football and looks to help Glentoran return to winning ways against Coleraine on Friday night (Kick-off: 7.45pm).

The 19-year-old Lincoln City loanee has grown in influence in recent weeks after forcing his way into Declan Devine’s side, making eight appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring once, and starting the Glens’ last three matches alongside club captain Marcus Kane.

Kamson-Kamara arrived in East Belfast late in the summer transfer window after progressing through Lincoln City’s scholarship programme and signing his first professional contract with the Imps in February 2023.

A strong and composed defender, he gained valuable senior experience with loan spells at Barwell and Peterborough Sports, where he made 19 appearances in the National League North during the 2024/25 campaign.

Arriving in East Belfast towards the end of the summer transfer window, Kamson-Kamara acknowledges that the move from England required patience and perspective as he adjusted to new surroundings both on and off the pitch.

Relocating to a new city away from family and friends, the teenage defender also faced the challenge of breaking into a well-established central defensive unit.

MJ Kamson-Kamara said: “Coming over from England so late in the transfer window, I knew it was always going to take a bit of time to settle. It was a new city, a new league and a new environment for me, away from family and friends, but from day one the club has been outstanding. Everything here is really professional and that makes a huge difference when you’re trying to find your feet.

“When you come into a club like Glentoran, you understand straight away that nothing is given to you. You have to earn everything. Shane, Marcus, Ciaran and Daniel are top defenders and real professionals and you learn so much just by training alongside them and seeing the standards they set every day.

“Of course there were times when I wanted to play more, and that’s natural, but I understood that I had to take my chances when they came. Looking back, I probably tried a bit too hard early on because you want to make an impression straight away.”

After biding his time, Kamson-Kamara has started the Glens’ last few matches, stepping in following injuries to Shane McEleney and Ciaran Coll, and continuing to perform well even as Daniel Larmour returns from injury.

Despite Glentoran’s recent run of results, the highly rated defender has shown his quality, giving supporters a clear sense of why Declan Devine moved to bring him to the club. Solid and reliable at the back, the 19-year-old has combined a no-nonsense defensive approach with the confidence to move the ball forward when required.

Kamson-Kamara added: “When the opportunity came, I just wanted to do my job properly and help the team. Results haven’t been great recently, but I think our performances have been solid and we probably haven’t got the points on the board that we deserve.

 “I love defending. I enjoy the battles, going up against forwards and making my presence felt in games. Winning your duels and doing the basics right is something I take real pride in.

 “I feel like the fans are starting to see the best of me now, but I also know there’s more to come. Ultimately it’s a team game, and what matters most is helping the team do well. The only way to keep my place is by giving one hundred per cent every day and doing exactly what the manager and his coaching staff ask of me.”

 Glentoran head into Friday night’s fixture winless in their last five Sports Direct Premiership matches, following defeats to Glenavon and Dungannon Swifts, spirited comeback draws against Bangor and Cliftonville and last Friday night’s narrow 1–0 defeat away to Larne.

At Inver Park, the Glens delivered a disciplined first-half display before asserting themselves after the break, controlling long spells of the second period. With the contest finely balanced, it ultimately took a late Benji Magee strike to separate the sides, leaving Glentoran frustrated not to come away with at least a share of the points.

Kamson-Kamara admitted the manner of the defeat was difficult to take but insists the focus has quickly shifted to putting things right, starting with Friday night’s visit of Coleraine to the BetMcLean Oval.

MJ added: “The Larne game really did feel like a punch in the stomach. We went there, we were brave, we dominated large parts of the second half and if we’re being honest, it felt like we deserved something from the game.

 “We know the results haven’t been good enough recently, even though the performances have been there. That’s been the frustrating part for all of us. There’s been a lot of honest conversations and soul-searching this week, because we all want to turn this around as quickly as possible.

 “The positive thing is that we know we’re not playing badly. We’re in games, we’re competing, but now it’s about finding that killer instinct right across the team and turning those performances into wins. That’s the difference and that’s what we demand from ourselves.

 “We need to dig deep as a group, stick together and show real character. Our fans have been unbelievable. They’re craving success and we want to give them something to cheer about. There’s no better place to do that than at the BetMcLean Oval and that has to drive us on.”

 Glentoran can take encouragement from their visit to The Showgrounds in September, when Declan Devine’s side recorded a 2–1 victory over Coleraine in one of their strongest displays of the season. After former Glentoran player Kodi Lyons-Foster had given the home side an early advantage, a second-half double from Jordan Stewart secured the points for the visitors.

Friday night represents a fresh challenge against the league leaders, but that performance provides a clear reference point for the standards required. Reaching that level and getting back to winning ways on home soil would allow Glentoran to build momentum ahead of the festive period.

Kamson-Kamara concluded: “That game at The Showgrounds showed the level the team is capable of when everything clicks. I wasn’t involved on the pitch that night, but you could see the standard the lads set to win the game

“Friday night is a different challenge, but those standards don’t change. We know what’s required against a team like Coleraine and it’s about reaching that level again as a group

 “We’re desperate to get back to winning ways and give our supporters something to cheer about heading into Christmas. We respect Coleraine, but we believe in ourselves, and with a big crowd behind us at The BetMcLean Oval, that energy can really drive us on.”

For Glentoran fans planning to attend Friday’s Sports Direct Premiership fixture against Colerane, match tickets are available to purchase at: www.glentoran.com/match-tickets-home-fans