Glens can deal a hammer blow to our title hopes, warns Healy

IT will be enemies reunited in the Danske Bank Premiership this afternoon and Linfield boss David Healy has warned his men that Glentoran have the power to seriously damage the champions’ title defence.

The Blues recorded a massive 2-0 victory over Cliftonville on Saturday but they remain 14 points behind pacesetters Coleraine, having played two fewer games.

There’s a make or break feeling to the Boxing Day showdowns as the title race hots up with the Bannsiders hosting Ballymena United, Linfield going to Glentoran and Crusaders welcoming Cliftonville to Seaview in cracking derbies.

Healy (right) has warned his boys: “We seem to bring out the best in them. I would imagine they will be fired up and come at us with everything. We’ll be taking nothing for granted.”

Former Glentoran favourite Jordan Stewart is hoping he will be given the chance to land a knockout blow on his old club. “I would definitely take a win on Boxing Day,” said Stewart.

“That would m a k e m y Christmas. I’m sorry to the Glentoran folk I used to be friends with but that’s my goal now.

“A goal is a goal and you must celebrate but I’d never want to be disrespectful. I think I’ve scored against Linfield twice but never found the net on Boxing Day.

“I know what to expect. Glentoran will be fired up and it’s well documented the big support from both teams come out to watch the game.

“As a footballer you want to play in those games.”