Daniel Larmour is ready for another stern test at the BetMcLean Oval as Glentoran step up their preparation on Wednesday afternoon for the start of their European campaign with a friendly against Kilmarnock (kick-off 1pm).

The Glens will take on RFS in the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round next week, having already faced Caernarfon Town, The New Saints and East Belfast in pre-season, with a final warm-up fixture away to Dundela on Saturday still to come.

Larmour is hoping a good workout against Scottish Premiership outfit Killie will stand them in good stead ahead of the tie against their Latvian opponents.

“You don’t have a lot of time once you come back in pre-season until the first game in Europe so it’s very important that you not only get your fitness up to speed as much as possible but that you also get some tough games under your belt,” said Larmour.

“We’ve been back in for a few weeks now and we have worked hard in the sessions the coaching staff have put on as well as getting a good workout in the three games so far.

“I think the lads all came back in good shape which always helps with the training side of things, but you need the games to get the sharpness up.

“I know it’s only been three games, but I think you can see there has been steady improvement in each one.

“They have been competitive games for us so far, but I think the Kilmarnock one will be a real test for us.

“That’s so important as the first leg against RFS is only a week or so away and we want to hit the ground running to make sure we make the most out of our home advantage.

“Kilmarnock obviously play at the highest level in Scotland and have plenty of good players throughout the squad so we know they will be a tough test for us.

“But that’s key as we need to be pushed hard and get the most out of these games with that competitive game against RFS looming large.

“I think the intensity of the game come Wednesday will be high and everyone will be looking to go out and stake their claim for a jersey ahead of the European tie.”

It’s been two years since the Glens last competed in European competition and Larmour is relishing the challenge which lies ahead.

“Obviously no team has a right to play in Europe every year, but Glentoran is a club which should be targeting European competition every season,” said the defender.

“The club has a very proud history both domestically and competing on the European stage, and there have been some big nights down the years as well as some big results.

“We want to add to that record by making our own piece of history in Europe and we will be doing all we can to make that happen.

“We know RFS will be a very tough test for us given their own record in European competition over the last few seasons.

“So we are under no illusions that we are going to have to be at our best over the two legs to progress into the second round.

“But that’s the sort of test we want. We want to know that we will have to be on it from that very first whistle at The Oval next week.

“As I said Europe is very important for this club given what it has achieved down the years, but as players we also know the financial benefits progressing through the qualifying rounds can bring.

“All we can focus on though is going out there and doing all we can to get a result.

“We will be well prepared and the manager and coaches will have done their homework to make sure we are up to speed on RFS.

“It’s exciting and I can’t wait to be back into competitive action again. As players that’s what you want as there’s nothing better than playing games which matter.”

Last season may not have ended in the way Glentoran would have hoped but Larmour is confident that the experience will prove vital coming into the new campaign.

“It was obviously disappointing to come up short in the race for the title in the end, but when you step back and look at the season as a whole there were a lot of positives to take from it,” said the 27-year-old.

“We had put ourselves in with a real shot of winning the title and up until the second last game of the season that was still very much a possibility.

“That’s the closest the club has come in a long time and we have to take that as a real sign of progression.

“We want to be winning the top honours that’s for sure and it was tough to take in the end as we narrowly missed out, but we are on the right path.

“We have a good squad here and if we can add a couple more ahead of the new season then I don’t see any reasons why we can’t kick on again.

“With every disappointment you get in football the key thing is to learn from it and that is what we will certainly be doing.

“We know where we need to improve from last season and the lads are certainly up for putting in another fight come the start of the new campaign.”

For supporters planning to attend Wednesday’s pre-season friendly against Kilmarnock at The BetMcLean Oval, tickets are available to purchase now at: https://www.glentoran.com/tickets/home-tickets/