Glentoran midfielder Joe Thomson insists the squad is fully focused on delivering a crucial result against Larne in Tuesday night’s crunch Sports Direct Premiership clash at The BetMcLean Oval (Kick-off: 7:45pm).
The Glens currently sit second in the table, three points ahead of third-placed Larne. A victory would open up a six-point gap to the reigning champions, while defeat would see Larne draw level with Declan Devine’s side in the race for automatic European qualification.
Dungannon Swifts remain in the mix, sitting fourth, also just three points behind the Glens and level on points with Larne. However, the Swifts have played a game more, adding further significance to Tuesday night’s fixture.
With just two games remaining before the league split, including Saturday’s home fixture with Crusaders, Glentoran know the importance of rediscovering their winning touch after back-to-back draws against Glenavon and Carrick Rangers.
Thomson, who made the switch from Larne to Glentoran in the January transfer window, believes it’s time for the squad to put together a winning run in the season’s defining phase and secure automatic European football for next season.
Joe Thomson said: “This is a massive game – a real six-pointer. We’re three points ahead of Larne and we want to deliver a statement result to extend that gap to six. If we don’t, we’re level on points and with teams like Dungannon Swifts pushing hard behind us, that’s not a position we want to be in.”
“As a squad, we’re fully aware that the last couple of results haven’t been good enough. We should have won against Glenavon and the draw against Carrick was frustrating. We know what we need to do and that starts on Tuesday night.”
“Larne are a top side – I know that first-hand from my time there. They’ve won back-to-back titles for a reason and they’ll come here believing they can get a result. But we have real quality in our squad and we’re hurting after the last series of results. We’re determined to put that right and get back to winning ways on Tuesday night.”

Since arriving at The BetMcLean Oval, Joe Thomson has made an instant impact, producing a series of standout performances and scoring three goals in seven appearances – including a dream debut double in the 2-1 victory over Loughgall.
His early weeks in East Belfast have been anything but quiet – from a blistering start to a dramatic extra-time sending-off in the Irish Cup victory over Linfield. Now fully fit after missing a couple of games through injury, Thomson is determined to drive the Glens forward as they push for a strong finish to the season.
Thomson said: “Since I arrived at Glentoran, the games have been relentless and unfortunately, I’ve had to miss a couple through suspension and injury. But I feel great here. Glentoran is everything I hoped it would be – a massive club with a passionate fanbase, a brilliant dressing room and a top-class coaching staff.”
“I’ve settled in really well. From day one, the fans, staff and players have made me feel at home. We’ve got a fantastic squad and the coaching staff – Declan, Paddy, Tim and Elliott have been outstanding with me since I arrived. You can see the ambition in this club and I’m excited to be part of that journey.”
“But at a club like Glentoran, it’s all about results. We know our recent form hasn’t been where it needs to be over the past few weeks and we have to put that right. There’s no doubt about the quality in this squad and we need to get back to winning ways and make sure we finish the season as strongly as possible. Second place and European football is in our hands – now we have to go and take it.”

Tuesday night marks the fourth meeting between the sides this season. Larne have held the upper hand in the league, recording 2-0 victories at Inver Park in September and The BetMcLean Oval in November.
However, Glentoran edged a thrilling Co Antrim Shield Final in January with a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout victory at Seaview. The win saw Declan Devine lift his first trophy as Glens boss and ended the club’s five-year wait for silverware.
Thomson was on the opposite side of the pitch that night, coming off the bench for Larne and almost scoring a late winner against the Glens. Just days later, he completed his switch to The BetMcLean Oval. Now, as he prepares to face his former club, he believes Glentoran must be ready to battle for everything to take all three points.
Joe said: “That final was a brilliant occasion and I remember how intense the game was from the moment I stepped onto the pitch. Both teams threw everything at it and it was always going to come down to the finest of margins. In the end, it took penalties to settle it, which just shows how evenly matched these teams are.”
“Now that I’m on this side of the battle, I know we have quality all over the pitch to win the match, but we have to impose ourselves from the first whistle. These are the kind of games where every tackle, every second ball and every bit of composure in the final third will make the difference.”
“The fans will be right behind us and it’s up to us to use that energy and deliver a performance that shows exactly what we’re about. It’s about winning battles all over the pitch, staying switched on in the key moments and making sure we walk off with all three points.”
For Glentoran fans planning to attend Tuesday night’s Sports Direct Premiership fixture against Larne, match tickets are available for purchase at: www.glentoran.com/match-tickets-home-fans
Note: Tickets from the abandoned fixture in January (due to floodlight failure) remain valid. No refunds will be issued.