Daniel Larmour believes he is finally ready to put an injury-frustrated spell behind him as Glentoran prepare for Friday’s Boxing Day Big Two derby away to Linfield at the Clearer Twist National Stadium (Kick-off: 3pm).

The centre-back returned to the starting XI in last Friday night’s 2–1 victory over league leaders Coleraine, making his first start since September following a lengthy lay-off, and now faces another significant test in one of the biggest fixtures of the Sports Direct Premiership calendar.

Larmour’s 2025/26 campaign has been disrupted since joining the Glens in the summer after the defender suffered a significant hamstring tear against Coleraine earlier in the season that ruled him out of 10 matches across league and cup competitions.

Having worked his way back into contention earlier this month, including a substitute appearance in Glentoran’s dramatic BetMcLean Cup quarter-final penalty shootout victory over Cliftonville, the 26-year-old has steadily rebuilt his fitness and match sharpness.

Now back in the starting eleven, Larmour insists the focus has always been on returning at the right moment and making a meaningful contribution to the group.

Daniel Larmour said: “It’s been frustrating watching from the sidelines when all you want to do is be out there helping the team, so getting back fit and into the starting XI meant a lot to me.

“It was a pretty bad injury and I was lucky in the end not to need an operation, so from that point it was about being patient, putting the work in and trusting the staff. Declan, the physio, and Richard, the performance coach, have been excellent with me and managed it really well. They got me back sooner than expected and being around the squad throughout December meant I always felt ready if the opportunity came.

“The lads haven’t had it easy for a few weeks despite playing well, so to come in, help the team and be part of a big win against the league leaders was massive. Now it’s about kicking on, staying fit and doing everything I can to help the team over what’s a big period of the season, starting with Boxing Day.”

Friday night’s victory over Coleraine brought a timely and deserved end to Glentoran’s five-game winless run in the Sports Direct Premiership, providing just reward for a spell of performances that had merited more.

After falling behind to a Matthew Shevlin header just after the hour mark, Pat Hoban calmly converted from the penalty spot eight minutes from time before substitute Jonny Russell struck late to secure all three points.

The result has injected renewed confidence into the squad ahead of one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season for supporters of both sides.

Larmour said: “That win was massive for us. For a few weeks now we’ve felt that the performances were there, even when the results weren’t quite coming and that can be frustrating as a group when you know you’re doing a lot of things right.

“To come back against the league leaders, show belief and composure late on and get the three points meant a lot to everyone in the dressing room. You could feel the lift straight away, not just during the game but around the place afterwards as well.

“It showed the character in the group and the belief we have in what we’re doing day to day. We’ve stuck together through a tough spell, kept working and kept backing ourselves, and that’s important.

“Now the challenge is to build on it. That result sets the standard for us and that’s the level we need to be hitting consistently, especially going into a game like this where the demands and expectations are as high as they come.”

Despite an injury-interrupted start to his Glentoran career, Larmour has spoken positively about his experience at the club and the environment being built under Declan Devine.

While recent results have presented challenges, the defender insists there remains a strong sense of belief within the dressing room, underpinned by clear standards, competition for places and a shared understanding of what the team is working towards.

Larmour believes that with plenty of football still to be played this season, the Glens have a clear opportunity to build momentum, with significant targets still firmly within reach as the campaign heads into 2026

Daniel added: “I’m loving life here and really enjoying working under the manager and his coaching staff. From day one, the standards have been clear and they’re driven every day on the training pitch. There’s real competition for places, which is exactly what you want at a club like Glentoran and it keeps everyone sharp and accountable.

“Even when results haven’t always reflected the performances recently, there’s been a strong belief in the dressing room. We know we’ve been doing a lot of good things and the squad the manager has put together has real quality and character throughout it.

“There’s still a long way to go this season and plenty of football left to play. Nothing is decided at this stage and there’s a lot for us to aim for as a group. The focus now is on building momentum, staying together and making sure we’re giving ourselves the best possible chance of delivering a successful season for everyone involved at Glentoran.”

Friday will mark Daniel Larmour’s first Boxing Day Big Two derby, following his involvement in the 1–1 draw between the sides at the BetMcLean Oval in September.

While the defender has featured in numerous North Belfast derbies during his Irish League career, Larmour is clear that the Glentoran versus Linfield represents the pinnacle of domestic rivalry.

Larmour said: “The game at the BetMcLean Oval earlier in the season was a big occasion and a proper test, but the Boxing Day game is different. The Big Two games are the biggest derby games I’ve played in. I’ve been involved in plenty of North Belfast derbies, but everyone knows this is the one. The Boxing Day Big Two is on another level.

“It’s not just another league game. You feel it building all week, you see what it means to the supporters, and you understand the history between the two clubs. Glentoran and Linfield are the two biggest clubs in the country, and when they meet on Boxing Day it always carries something extra.

“The atmosphere, the expectation and the pressure are different, but that’s exactly what you want as a player. These are the games you work hard to be involved in. You want to stand up for the club, for the supporters and make sure you give everything for the shirt.” 

Glentoran travel to the Clearer Twist National Stadium pursuing a first-ever away victory on Boxing Day. While that record represents an opportunity to rewrite the history books, for Daniel Larmour and his teammates the focus is firmly on delivering a performance that brings three points back to the BetMcLean Oval.

Larmour concluded: “You’re aware of the record going into a game like this, especially when people outside the playing squad and staff talk about it, but that’s not something we’re focused on. The manager has us fully locked in on Friday and on exactly what we need to do to win the game.

“We know how good Linfield are and how strong they are at home. It’s going to be a massive occasion and we expect a hostile atmosphere, but that’s part of it. Our job is to go there, try to keep the crowd as quiet as we can and impose ourselves on the game.

“That comes down to winning our battles all over the pitch, being disciplined, keeping it tight at the back and taking our chances when they come. If we do that, we give ourselves a real chance.

“We’ll have a big support with us as well. We probably could have sold the allocation again, but that just shows what this club and this fixture means to our fans. They’ve been superb all season and we know they’ll make as much noise as possible and drive us on, like they always do.

“We want them going home with the bragging rights, but first and foremost we want to come away with the three points. That’s the end game for us.”

With Glentoran’s ticket allocation at the Clearer Twist National Stadium now sold out, supporters unable to attend on Boxing Day can still follow all the action live via the new NIFL TV streaming platform, with the match available on a pay-per-view basis priced at £9.99. For more information and to purchase access, visit nifltv.co.uk.