Mills determined to keep Glens on winning track

Andrew Mills says Glentoran must maintain their standards as they target a third successive league victory against Dungannon Swifts at the BetMcLean Oval on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Wins over Cliftonville and Carrick Rangers have lifted the Glens to fifth in the Irish Premiership table, with last weekend’s 2-0 success securing back-to-back league victories for the first time this season.

Mills believes those results have strengthened confidence within the squad, but insists the players’ focus is firmly on the challenge ahead.

“In football, you can’t afford to get too high or too low after a win or a defeat. You have to maintain a level head,” said Mills.

“When we were going through our recent sticky patch, we couldn’t let ourselves get too down, as there was always another game around the corner and you have to be mentally prepared to go again.

“It’s the same now after picking up a couple of wins. There’s no back-slapping, thinking we’re this, that or the other.

“Those games are gone now and the next one is the most important. That’s the way we approach every game.

“What the wins have done, though, is build the confidence a bit, which is very important, as things tend to come a bit easier when you have picked up a few wins.

“You play with a bit more freedom when you’re winning and that’s something we have to carry into the next game.”

The goalkeeper expects a demanding afternoon against the Swifts and says Glentoran must maintain the standards that have earned them six points from their last two matches.

“People will say that it’s a cliché, but it really is just one game at a time,” said the Liverpudlian.

“The coaches have been reinforcing that message and we know we won’t be allowed to get carried away with the last two games.

“The most important thing is what happens out on the pitch and we have to make sure we hit the levels we know we are capable of.

“We know it won’t be easy against Dungannon. They are a very good side and they are more than capable of going anywhere and getting a result.

“We will be well prepared for them and determined to keep this run going.”

Mills is relishing his return to action and is determined to keep his place after starting Glentoran’s last two matches.

Having missed the opening part of the season, including a spell out through injury, the 32-year-old returned against Cliftonville before keeping a clean sheet in last Saturday’s victory over Carrick Rangers.

“It was a frustrating start to the season for me. You always want to be playing, and picking up an injury made it harder because I couldn’t get out on the training pitch and push for my place,” said Mills.

“Once I was fit again, it was about working hard in training and making sure I was ready whenever the chance came. There’s competition for the position, so you have to keep your standards high every day.

“I was pleased to get back in against Cliftonville. It was a big game for us and a good one to win, then we followed it up with another three points and a clean sheet against Carrick.

“Now I want to keep my place. To do that, I have to perform and give the coaches a reason to keep picking me.

“The last two results have given us something to build on. Hopefully I can keep contributing and help us put a good run together, starting with Dungannon on Saturday.”

Mills also praised Paddy McCourt and Tim McCann for their work with the squad following Declan Devine’s departure, highlighting their support for the players and their insistence on improved performances and results.

“It’s never easy when a manager leaves a football club, especially as we all held Decky in such high regard, but Paddy and Tim have helped us all through what has been a difficult period,” he said.

“They are obviously very experienced as former players and now as coaches, so they understand the situation.

“They have tried to shield the players from a lot of the outside noise and make sure that our full focus is on football.

“But they have also made it known that the results needed to improve, as well as the performances, as it hasn’t been good enough so far.

“There’s no treading water here at the minute, that’s for sure. Paddy and Tim want the absolute best for this club and we as players are the same.”

For Mills, the next task is to turn the response shown over the last two matches into a more consistent run of performances.

“The last two games have been a good start, but it’s only a start. We have to make sure that we build on it and start being more consistent,” he said.

“We’ve shown we can come through a difficult game at Cliftonville and then put in a good performance at home against Carrick. The challenge now is to produce those levels every week.

“There will be games where things don’t go our way, but we still have to do our jobs, stay organised and keep demanding more from each other. That’s how we give ourselves the best chance of picking up points consistently.

“Yes, we aren’t where we want to be, but if we continue to drive each other forward, we will get there. We are all determined to make sure this club is where it should be.”

Saturday’s fixture is proudly supported by Haldane Fisher.

For Glentoran fans planning to attend Saturday’s Irish Premiership fixture against Dungannon Swifts at The BetMcLean Oval, match tickets are available to purchase at: https://www.glentoran.com/tickets/home-tickets/