Nixon: I decided to show loyalty to Ards as they have faith in me

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Nixon added: “Out of courtesy it was right for me to speak with the club but the sequence of events over the last few days led to me deciding to stay with Ards. They were keen to keep me and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.

“It might have been easy to walk away but I decided to show loyalty because they have shown faith in me too.”

Although Glentoran were unsuccessful on this occasion in their attempts to bring Nixon back to the club, the 39-year-old is not closing the door to returning to the Oval some time in the future.

“I won’t say a bad word about Glentoran and it’s never say never,” he added. “It just didn’t feel right for me at this moment. The club has been a huge part of my life and always will be but you’ve got to look at things objectively.

“It was a very hard decision but the process didn’t feel right for me. Money or the length of the contract was not relevant and another part of me didn’t want to let Ards down and the staff I have around me. I’m enjoying the environment I am working in and am learning all the time as a manager.”

Nixon also confirmed that left back Michael Ruddy is set to join Crusaders at the end of the season.

“We tried to keep Michael but Crusaders expressed an interest and we respect his wishes to move on,” added Nixon, who also expects to lose another one of his players who is on loan at the club.