Glentoran v Coleraine
Saturday 27th January 2018, 3pm.
This Saturday we play our first full 90 minutes at the Oval since Boxing Day and face a major challenge in our quest for a top six finish with a visit from second placed Coleraine.
Coleraine recently lost their top position for the first time this season, but remain on an excellent run with only one league defeat so far this season as they sit eleven points ahead of third placed Glenavon. This transfer window they have further strengthened through the short term return of their former winger and local player Stephen Dooley while Joe McCreadie (Limavady United) and Scott Whiteside (Derry City – loan) have returned to their former clubs.
Our last win over Coleraine was in May 2016 when we won 2-1 at the Showgrounds in the Europa League playoff. Since then we have had one draw – in September this season – and four defeats in the fixture, a sequence that needs to be ended.
Gary Haveron said following training on Thursday night: “We’ve got a completely full strength squad to pick from for the first time in months. Everyone trained on Thursday night, including Robbie McDaid following his hamstring injury at Dungannon and illness earlier in the week. He’ll be back in the squad for Saturday. Also Calum and Nathan are fully fit so they’ll start on Saturday. It’s good to have everyone available as it gives me a few options and a few decisions to make.
Coleraine are a strong outfit and anyone who says they’re out of it after losing top place is off the mark. They’re a very athletic team and we need to match that to get something out of the game.
We’re still talking to a few players about coming in before the end of the window but we want players who can improve us over the rest of this season in a couple of specific positions. That’s where the focus is and we’ll keep working between now and the end of January”
The Board of Directors at Glentoran Football Club would again request that all supporters travelling to the Oval by private car consider the local residents when deciding where and how to park.
