Jack Malone says Glentoran’s only focus is on their own performance as they prepare to face Linfield in the first Big Two meeting of the season at the Clearer Twist National Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

While the Glens began the new campaign with a 2-0 home victory over newly promoted Limavady United, the Blues suffered a 3-0 defeat against Ballymena United.

However, Malone insists Linfield’s opening-day result will have no bearing on Glentoran’s preparations for the trip across the city.

“I know a lot has been made of Linfield being beaten on the opening day of the season, but I can assure you that will not come into our thinking ahead of Saturday’s game,” said Malone.

“The only thing we will be focusing on is picking up another positive result, just as we do before every game we play.

“In some ways, Linfield losing to Ballymena last week is probably the least helpful result for us because they will have had a week to stew on it and will be looking to put things right.

“For them, there is no better game in which to do that than against Glentoran. We all know what it means to the supporters to get a result on derby day.

“I know it’s a cliché, but nobody needs any extra motivation when you are playing against your rivals because there is so much at stake.

“We know it is going to be a difficult game, regardless of anything else. They are a good side with a lot of experience and quality, but so are we. We are putting all our energy into getting the result we want and need.

“We have shown what we can do, and now it is important that we embrace going to places like the National Stadium and produce a performance that meets the standards we have set for ourselves.

“We have done it regularly in the past, and we are full of confidence that we can go there and do it again.

“It was great to get the three points last week, and we are determined to build on that and put ourselves in a strong position, even at this very early stage of the season.

“Our aim in every game is to collect three points. It doesn’t matter whether we are facing Limavady or Linfield; we will do everything we can to achieve that.”

Despite dominating large periods of last Saturday’s season opener against the Roesiders, Glentoran had to remain patient before securing all three points at The BetMcLean Oval.

Jordan Stewart came off the bench to glance home the opening goal shortly after the hour mark, before Pat Hoban headed in a second just two minutes later from Malone’s delivery.

“It was nice to get an assist in the first game, but when you have someone like Pat in the box, it makes things a lot easier,” said the midfielder.

“You know that if you put the ball into a certain area, he will be there and, more often than not, he buries it.

“Pat is such an asset, especially when games are tight and there are very few chances.

“When one does come along, you have to take it, and he has proven throughout his career that he can do that.

“Saturday’s game summed up the Irish League perfectly. We played well in the first half and probably should have been ahead at the break, but unfortunately we didn’t take our chances.

“They came out refocused for the second half and, to be fair, could have gone in front because they had a couple of good opportunities before ‘Sucka’ came off the bench to head us into the lead.

“It was such a clever header and he couldn’t have directed it any better. It came at an important time because Limavady were beginning to get a foothold in the game.

“As I said, that is what the Irish League is all about. No team is going to roll over for you and, no matter who you are playing, you know you will have to work hard to earn the result.

“The pleasing thing for me was that we kept plugging away and made sure we got over the line. That’s one game down and 37 still to go.”

A large crowd was in attendance at The BetMcLean Oval on Saturday, and Malone is looking forward to another strong travelling support backing the team this weekend.

“It’s always great to play in front of the supporters at The Oval and they were fantastic against Limavady,” he said. “They stayed with us throughout the game when it would have been easy to become frustrated.

“They helped us so much last season, getting us through games when things were difficult, and they have carried that support into the new campaign.

“I know they will travel in their numbers again on Saturday. They will make plenty of noise and get behind us as we try to secure another positive result.

“They make such a difference. As players, we take so much from the support they give us, particularly away from home at places like Linfield.

“We have a huge role to play on Saturday and so do the supporters. We have to come together and do everything we can for this football club.”

For Glentoran fans planning to attend Saturday’s Irish Premiership fixture against Linfield at the Clearer Twist National Stadkum, match tickets are available to purchase at: https://www.glentoran.com/tickets/home-tickets/