Saturday 25th February
3.00 pm Kick Off
Tomorrow we travel to Solitude in the Danske Bank Premiership to face second placed Cliftonville as we look to continue our run of wins in all competitions and to close the gap on the others within the top six.
In the ten league fixtures Cliftonville have played since the sides last met at Solitude just before Christmas, they have recorded five wins, two draws and three defeats. They have dropped back into second place after losing at new leaders Larne at the weekend. They now sit three points behind the Invermen, having played a game more.
Having won 1-0 in both fixtures between the sides so far this season, Cliftonville hold the distinction of being the only side in the IPL that Glentoran have yet to score a goal against or take a point from. In last season’s fixtures at Solitude, Cliftonville won the first game 1-0 in September 2021 while Glentoran emerged 2-1 winners in January 2022 when a Jay Donnelly brace wiped out an early Jamie McDonagh strike from distance.
Reds manager McLaughlin will have to do without former Glentoran winger McDonagh after his dismissal at Inver Park for two yellow cards, while defender Levi Ives and midfielder Rory Hale missed out on the squad completely. Young winger Sean Moore was subbed in the first half due to a knock and both Ryan Curran and Joe Gormley will be hoping to return to the starting line-up in place of loanee striker David Parkhouse.
Rodney McAree: “After our good win over Linfield it was important for us to build on that with a good three points at Ballymena last Friday. We took a while to get going but once we got to grips with it I felt we were comfortable and well on top, I was very pleased for Rory getting his two goals after coming in for Niall who’d been doing so well. I was very pleased with the ovation Rory got from the supporters when he came off as he’s a very honest player.
Tomorrow is a great one to look forward to. A full house at Solitude and a match between two good teams will create a great atmosphere. We have an important opportunity to make up some ground on a team above it so the squad is fully aware of what’s expected of us.
Everyone is healthy apart from the long term absentees, Sean and Seanan, so we’re going there in good shape for what will be a big game.”
