Thu 17 Sep 2026, 18:00
Marcus Kane says Glentoran must match the fight shown against Coleraine with greater composure when they face Cliftonville at Solitude on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
The Glens produced an improved performance against the BoyleSports Premiership leaders on Tuesday night, recovering from Joe Thomson’s opening goal through Jordan Jenkins before Lewis McGregor struck in the 94th minute to secure a 2-1 victory for the visitors.
Although frustrated by another late setback, Kane believes the determination displayed by the team provides something to build upon.
“We’re more determined than ever,” said the Glentoran captain.
“If you take away the result against Coleraine, you could see there was more fight and hunger in the performance.
“It is disappointing that we have had to reach this stage of the season to show that because, at Glentoran, those qualities should always be evident.”
Kane believes the spirit shown as the Glens fought their way back into Tuesday’s contest was exactly what the supporters expect from the team.
“The fight was the biggest positive,” he said. “First and foremost, the fans want to see hunger and desire from the players.
“We showed that when we got ourselves back into the game. Once we scored, it felt as though we were the team most likely to go on and get the next goal.
“We now need to turn those periods into positive results. When we get ourselves back into a game, we have to use that momentum to go after all three points or make sure we protect the point we have earned.
“We cannot continue allowing late goals to cost us.”
Glentoran now travel across Belfast for another demanding Premiership fixture against Cliftonville.
Kane insists the players must reproduce Tuesday’s intensity while playing with greater freedom and making better decisions at important moments.
“We have to bring that same fight and level of performance to Solitude,” he added.
“We want to give the fans something to cheer about, but we also need to be freer in our play, smarter in certain areas of the pitch and stop conceding late goals.”
With Saturday bringing a third fixture in the space of eight days, preparation time has been limited. However, Kane believes the players must do more to translate the standards they show in training into matchday performances.
“It will be our third game in a week, but whenever we have been on the training pitch, the players have given a good account of themselves,” he said.
“As a team, we need to bring more of that into games and feel freer within our roles as footballers.
“At times, we can allow things that are not directly affecting the game to distract us. As professionals, we have to block that out, concentrate on what is happening on the pitch and deliver our football.
“That is what we need to do now. We have to play with freedom, make better decisions and produce the level of performance required to get a positive result.”
For Glentoran fans planning to attend Saturday’s Irish Premiership fixture against Cliftonville at Solitdue, match tickets are available to purchase at: https://cliftonvillefc.ticketco.events/…/cliftonville_v…
