Glentoran manager Declan Devine has thrown down the gauntlet to his players ahead of tonight’s vital Sports Direct Premiership Split opener against Coleraine at The BetMcLean Oval (Kick-off: 7.45pm).
With five season-defining fixtures remaining, Devine is calling on his squad to rise to the challenge and deliver a statement performance this evening – one that gets them back to winning ways and sets the tone for the final push for automatic European qualification.
The Glens currently sit third in the table, level on points with second-placed Larne, and just four clear of Dungannon Swifts and Crusaders in the race for a European place.
With tonight’s clash against Coleraine the club’s only home fixture in the split - followed by away trips to Linfield, Crusaders, Dungannon Swifts and Larne - Devine sees this as a crucial opportunity to lay down a marker.
Declan Devine, Glentoran Manager said: “This is it — the first of five very important games. Five cup finals. Everything we’ve worked for in the league comes down to these next few weeks. I’ve told the players we can’t let this opportunity slip through our fingers - we need to stand up, be brave, and be counted.”
“We know the results in recent weeks haven’t been good enough - and we don’t hide from that. But that run is behind us now. What matters is how we respond. We’ve got a huge opportunity to bring European football back to this club and we have to grab it with both hands.
“There are five teams - including ourselves and excluding Linfield - in the hunt for Europe and nothing is guaranteed. The split’s fixture list hasn’t been kind to us, with four of our five games away from home, but that’s the challenge. We won’t use it as an excuse. We know that on our day, we can match and beat anyone in this league - and it’s time to go out there and prove it.”
The Glens return to action following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Crusaders on 22nd March - a result that came on the back of three consecutive league draws against Glenavon (3-3), Carrick Rangers (0-0) and Larne (2-2).
Their most recent league victory came on 4th March, when Nathaniel Ferris struck the winner in a 1-0 win over Ballymena United at The BetMcLean Oval.
While results in recent weeks have been frustrating, manager Declan Devine says the extended 10-day break has given his players a vital opportunity to reset, recharge and refocus ahead of the decisive final stretch of the season.
Devine said: “Let’s be clear - the effort and work rate have never been in question. The players have given absolutely everything during a relentless run of games, but the results simply haven’t matched the levels we expect.
“This past week has been a valuable opportunity to reset. Since returning to training last Thursday, the response has been exactly what I wanted - intensity, commitment and a real hunger to put things right.
“After the Crusaders game, we spoke honestly as a group - not about effort, because that’s always been there - but about standards. About stepping up and showing what we’re really about. The players have embraced that challenge and now it’s about translating it into performances on the pitch.”
Glentoran has faced Coleraine three times this season. The first meeting ended 0-0 at The BetMcLean Oval back in August, while the Bannsiders edged a 2-1 win at The Showgrounds in October. But on Valentine’s Day, the Glens produced a dominant display to win 2-1 on the road - and Devine wants more of the same tonight.
Declan said: “Coleraine are a strong side with quality all over the pitch. They’ve been on a good run and haven’t lost in the league since we beat them at The Showgrounds in February, so they’ll come here with confidence and plenty to play for.
“We respect Coleraine, but this is about us. It’s about how we impose ourselves on the game and deliver a performance that gives our fans something to cheer about - and puts three important points on the board.
“This is our only home fixture in the split - and our final home game of the season - and we want to make it count. We want to get back to winning ways and we want to produce a performance that shows our appreciation to the supporters for their incredible backing all season.”
For Glentoran fans planning to attend tonight’s Sports Direct Premiership fixture against Coleraine, match tickets are available for purchase at: www.glentoran.com/match-tickets-home-fans.
