Glentoran defender Jonny Russell says he is ready to bring his international form back to East Belfast as the Glens aim to return to winning ways when they face Dungannon Swifts at The BetMcLean Oval in the Sports Direct Premiership on Friday 21st November 2025 (Kick-off: 7.45pm).

Declan Devine’s side return to league action almost a fortnight after their last outing when Glenavon claimed a 3–1 victory at Mourneview Park despite the Glens dominating possession and creating a series of clear-cut chances.

The postponement of last Friday’s home fixture against Carrick Rangers has given the squad valuable time to reset and refocus ahead of the visit of Dungannon Swifts, the side who inflicted Glentoran’s first league defeat of the season back in October.

That 3–1 defeat at Stangmore Park was a contest shaped by defensive lapses and the frustration of a second-half sending off. Marcus Kane had given Glentoran an early lead, but Dungannon seized control after Jordan Jenkins saw red, with three goals to turn the match decisively in the hosts’ favour.

Now back in East Belfast after starting both of Northern Ireland’s U21 European qualifiers this month, Russell returns to The BetMcLean Oval confident and buoyed by his growing stature on the international stage.

The 21-year-old, who has now started the last four Northern Ireland Under 21 fixtures, is determined to help Glentoran get back to winning ways and force his way into Declan Devine’s starting eleven, with competition for places intense in the full back positions.

Jonny Russell, said: “It has been a really important spell for me with Northern Ireland. I have now got seven caps and starting the games in October and again this month has helped me feel properly part of the Under 21 set up.

“Playing three of those qualifiers at The BetMcLean Oval was special. To represent your country on your home pitch is something I will never forget. I felt I held my own against top players and hearing that Tommy was pleased with my performances has given me a real lift.

“Now I want to kick on for Glentoran. I have had a taste of high-level opposition with the Under 21s and I want to use that experience to push for more minutes here. Being away with the Under 21s gives you massive motivation because you are training and playing with real quality, and that drives your standards every day.

“But once you come home the focus switches straight back to the club. I am hungry to deliver for Glentoran. There is strong competition for places, especially at left back with Danny Amos and Ciaran Coll, and that pushes me to improve every single day. You have to be ready because opportunities can come very quickly.

“I want to be playing games and earning the trust of the manager and the staff. I want to contribute, help us get back to winning ways and make sure all the hard work pays off as the season moves on.”

Russell also enjoyed a landmark moment earlier this month when he broke his scoring duck in Glentoran colours, nodding home inside the opening minute of the BetMcLean Cup win over Crusaders.

It was his first competitive goal for the club in more than 70 appearances, and the reaction that followed said everything about what it meant to a player who has come through the Academy.

Jonny added: “Getting my first competitive goal for Glentoran meant a lot to me. The lads have been winding me up for ages about not scoring, so there was definitely a bit of relief and a bit of emotion in the celebration.

“The club’s social media even had their fun with it, and a few of the boys took great delight in reminding me about my reaction afterwards. It was all good craic, but deep down they knew how much that moment meant.

“To finally see the ball hit the net in front of our supporters was something I will never forget. I have been at this club since I was a kid, so scoring for this team is really special. It felt like a weight off my shoulders because I have wanted that goal for a long time and shutting the lads up was definitely an added bonus.

“Hopefully it is the first of a few more, because contributing at both ends of the pitch is something I want to keep improving on. I will just keep my head down, keep working hard and keep giving everything for this club.”

The Larne born defender acknowledges the disappointment of the Glenavon result and the determination within the squad to deliver a strong response on Friday night.

Having only returned to training after flying back from Greece with the Northern Ireland Under 21s, the left back says the mood in the camp is focused and fired up to putting things right against Dungannon Swifts

Russell commented: “Everyone was hurting after the Glenavon game. We know it was not good enough and we let ourselves down in key moments, but it is done now and we cannot change it. What we can do is put it right on Thursday. I only got back into training with the lads after flying home from Greece, but the intensity has been brilliant and everyone is fired up to respond.

“Dungannon will not make it easy for us. They showed earlier in the season that they are a dangerous side and we have to be at it from the first whistle. The focus is on giving a proper reaction, working for each other and getting back to the standards we set for ourselves. We want to put it right for the supporters and for ourselves and we are determined to do that.”

For Glentoran fans planning to attend Friday night’s Sports Direct Premiership fixture against Dungannon Swifts, match tickets are available to purchase at: https://www.glentoran.com/tickets/home-tickets/