Club captain Marcus Kane says Glentoran are determined to hit the ground running and get the 2025/26 Sports Direct Premiership season off to a flying start when they travel to Shamrock Park to face Portadown on Saturday 9 August (Kick-off: 3.00pm).

Now entering his 14th season at the BetMcLean Oval, Kane signed a new one-year contract over the summer, extending a remarkable spell that has seen him make 442 appearances and score 39 goals in Glentoran colours.

A three-time Irish Cup winner and club captain since 2017, the 33-year-old central defender remains as hungry as ever and is determined to deliver more commanding performances at the heart of the Glens’ defence, building on the 35 appearances he made across all competitions last season

Marcus Kane said: “I’m proud to go into another season wearing the armband. This club has been a massive part of my life for over a decade and the pride I feel every time I step onto the pitch hasn’t changed. Glentoran means everything to me, and as long as I’m here, I’ll keep giving absolutely everything I’ve got to help us be successful.

“We’ve had a really strong pre-season. The intensity and the standards have been top class. The squad is in a great place. The new lads have settled in brilliantly, competition for places is fierce and there’s a real sense of togetherness in the dressing room. Everyone’s pushing each other and we’re all focused on the same goal and that’s starting the season positively and showing exactly what this team is about from day one.”

Following last season’s County Antrim Shield triumph and third-place league finish, Devine has strengthened his squad in key areas with a series of signings that add both experience and depth across the pitch.

Slovakian goalkeeper Peter Urminsky joins on loan from St Mirren, while centre-back Daniel Larmour arrives from Crusaders and right-back Ryan Cooney makes the switch from the English Football League to strengthen the defensive unit.

In midfield, Liam Burt and Jordan Stewart bring creativity and flair, while prolific striker Pat Hoban signs from Derry City after finishing as top scorer in the 2024 League of Ireland Premier Division.

Kane said: “This is probably the strongest squad I’ve been part of during my time at Glentoran. There is real quality in every position and genuine depth throughout the team, which is something we may have been missing at times in the past.

“The new lads have come in and already shown glimpses of what they are capable of, both in training and during our pre-season games. But it is not just about their ability. What stands out most is how quickly they have embraced the culture, the standards and the togetherness we have built within the dressing room.

“We now have a bigger squad, a better balance of youth and experience and real competition for places across the board. No one can take their place for granted and that is exactly how it should be if we are serious about challenging for silverware.

“The energy, focus and professionalism around the club have been first class and in terms of the day-to-day atmosphere in the group it’s probably the best it has ever been. Everyone is pushing each other and we’re all fully focused on delivering more silverware this season.”

Pre-season has seen the Glens register wins over East Belfast, JRC Academy, Glenavon and Dundela, as well as a solid draw against English opposition Chester. Kane believes the work done on the training ground and behind the scenes has laid the foundations for a big season ahead.

Marcus said: “Declan and his coaching staff have been outstanding. From day one of pre-season, the structure, the intensity and the level of detail in every session has been first class. You can feel that the bar has been raised again. The tempo in training is relentless, the standards are higher than ever and the expectations are clear. There is a real focus on getting the small things right every single day and that is what builds consistency over a long season.

“What has really stood out this year is how well prepared we have been. It is a completely different picture from last summer, when players were still being added late and we were trying to find rhythm. This time, we have kept the core of the squad that the manager wanted to build around and added quality in key areas early. That has allowed us to properly focus on our shape, our fitness and the specific areas we needed to improve.

“The pre-season games have been important for building match sharpness, but also for working on the tactical details that can make the difference in tight games. Everything we have done has been geared towards being ready for the first game of the season and now we just cannot wait to get started.”

Saturday’s curtain-raiser at Shamrock Park sees Glentoran take on a Portadown side who secured an eighth-place finish in the topflight and have strengthened again over the summer.

The two sides met three times in the 2024/25 campaign, with the Glens winning both league encounters at Shamrock Park and the Ports claiming victory at the BetMcLean Oval in November.

Kane added: “We know Portadown will be a tough test. They’ll have a big home crowd behind them and will be looking to lay down a marker on the opening day. They’ve made some smart additions over the summer and will be aiming to hit the ground running on their own patch.

“The first game of the season always brings that bit of extra edge and emotion. We’re expecting a real battle and we know we’ll need to be at our best from the very first whistle. But we’re ready. We’ve prepared properly, we know what’s expected, and we’re going there with a clear goal to get three points and make a strong start to our season.”

The Sports Direct Premiership fixture against Portadown at Shamrock Park is now sold out for Glentoran supporters.