Glentoran defender Aaron Wightman is determined to leave an injury-ravaged 11 months behind him and play a key role in helping the Glens bounce back as they prepare to face Ballymena United in the Sports Direct Premiership on Tuesday at the BetMcLean Oval (Kick-off: 7:45pm).
Tuesday’s fixture marks Glentoran’s first match at the BetMcLean Oval in nearly four weeks since Danny Amos’ stunning 90th-minute winner secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Dungannon Swifts in early February.
It also signals the end of a gruelling run of four consecutive away games, which began with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Coleraine. However, a frustrating spell followed with a 1-1 draw at Ballymena United, a 2-0 defeat to Cliftonville and a 3-1 Irish Cup exit to Bangor.
Now, Declan Devine’s men are determined to return to winning ways in front of their home crowd and extend their advantage in second place in the Sports Direct Premiership. A victory on Tuesday would open up a five-point gap over Dungannon Swifts in third and Crusaders in fourth, both currently on 46 points.
Aaron Wightman’s return was one of the few positives in Glentoran’s disappointing Irish Cup quarter-final exit, as the 21-year-old Academy graduate delivered a lively second-half display after coming on at half-time.
Wightman has endured a gruelling year of injuries, missing the start of the season before making a brief return in November against Glenavon – his first start under Declan Devine – only to suffer another setback in December’s 3-1 win over Crusaders at Seaview.

Friday’s match marked his first appearance since that injury and now he’s determined to regain full match fitness and play a key role in Glentoran’s push for European qualification, starting with Tuesday’s clash at the BetMcLean Oval.
Aaron Wightman said: “The past 11 months have been incredibly tough. At times, it felt like one setback after another, but I’ve given everything to get back to fit again and now my only focus is on what’s ahead.
“Friday night was bittersweet. On a personal level, stepping back onto the pitch was a huge moment for me as it’s what I’ve worked so hard for. But as a team, we know the result wasn’t good enough, and that’s what matters most.

“Now, it’s about using this as a platform and continuing to build my fitness and making sure I’m in the best possible shape to contribute in the crucial weeks ahead. We have so much still to play for and I’m determined to play my part in helping us finish the season as strongly as possible.”

After making only his eighth appearance of the season, Wightman credits those around him for keeping his spirits high through the toughest moments of his career to date. Now, as he returns to action, he is determined to repay that faith with performances on the pitch.
Aaron said: “This is the first time in my career that I’ve had to deal with not just one, but two long-term injuries in quick succession and it’s been a real test, both physically and mentally.

“When you’re injured, you spend endless hours in the gym, away from the squad, watching from the sidelines, desperate to be back out there playing. But I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a brilliant support system around me at the club.”
“The lads, Declan, his coaching staff and the medical team have been outstanding. Now, it’s about repaying that trust by getting my head down, working harder than ever and giving absolutely everything for the team.”
“We’ve got a huge few weeks ahead and I want to be a part of it. I want to contribute in any way I can, whether that’s from the start or coming off the bench. The most important thing is that we finish the season as strongly as possible and I’m determined to play my part in making that happen.”

Friday night’s Irish Cup quarter-final exit was a bitter disappointment for Glentoran, and Wightman admits that the entire squad has felt the frustration of recent results. But with European qualification still in their hands and a BetMcLean Cup Final on the horizon, the team knows that the only way to respond is to get back to winning ways on Tuesday night.
Wightman added: “We’re all hurting after Friday. We know it wasn’t good enough. But in football, the most important thing is how you react. We’ve had an honest discussion as a squad and now it’s about putting things right on the pitch. The best teams show character when it matters most and that’s exactly what we intend to do on Tuesday night.”
“We know tomorrow night is a massive game for us. We’ve had a tough few weeks, but we’re still in a strong position and we have everything to play for. A win would be the perfect way to move on from the last few results and build momentum for the final stretch of the season.
“If you’d told us at the start of the season that we’d be sitting second in the league at the start of March, fighting for automatic European football and preparing for another cup final after already winning a trophy, we’d have taken it in a heartbeat. But being in this position means nothing if we don’t finish the job. Now, it’s about making sure we see it through.”
Wightman knows Glentoran will need to be at their best to break down a well-drilled Ballymena United side that has already proven to be a tough opponent this season. The Sky Blues have made life difficult in previous meetings and Tuesday night will be no different, with Ballymena still fighting for a top-six spot ahead of the league split.
Aaron concluded: “We know exactly what to expect from Ballymena. They’re a well-drilled side, tough to break down and they’ve caused us problems in previous meetings. They’re still pushing for a top six place, so they’ll come here with plenty to play for and we have to be ready for that challenge.
“We know we’ll need to be at our best to get the result, but being back at home, in front of our fans, gives us that extra boost. They’ve backed us in numbers through a tough run of away games and we want to repay that support by delivering a performance that strengthens our position and extends our lead in second place.”
For Glentoran fans planning to attend the Sports Direct Premiership fixture against Ballymena United tickets are available for purchase at: https://www.glentoran.com/match-tickets-home-fans.