Glens heading back to the top: Smyth

GARY Smyth has returned to Glentoran for a f if th time, and this time he really does mean business. The Danske Bank Premiership’s sleeping giant needs awakened from its slumber and Smyth, who has lef t his role as H&W Welders boss, is relishing that huge challenge.

It’s a bold new management team that hopes to spark the Glens into life, and t wo Oval legends — Smyth and Paul Leeman — are at the heart of it.

Both have agreed three-year deals, Smyth as assistant manager and Leeman in a senior coaching role ensuring the club’s production line is in f ine working order.

Former Portadown boss Ronnie McFall remains as manager because the new arrivals need to gain their A Licence qualifications to manage in the Premiership.

Smyth and Leeman will begin those courses in the coming weeks.

While Leeman will work with the Under-20s and Glentoran Academy to identif y and nurture young talent, Smyth and McFall will make sure the f irst team are in the best possible shape to steer the club back into the top six and challenging for major trophies again.

Kieran Harding, who along with McFall joined the east Belfast side in February af ter the departure of Gary Haveron, will be joint assistant manager with responsibility for f irst team coaching.

But it ’s a particularly proud moment for Smyth and Leeman who bleed red, green and black.

Glentoran wanted to recruit the pair in 2015 but without success. This time they have struck gold.

“The timing is right now, it didn’t feel right the last time but I’m t wo and a half years wiser now with more experience as a manager,” insisted Smyth, who made 364 appearances for the Glens.

“It’s going to be a long road ahead to get the club back to where we believe it should be, but we aren’t a million miles away and I’m confident we can make progress.

“Everyone will have an input in the new structure, it ’s not a one man band and we believe it can work well.

“We will be star ting our A Licence badges in the next few weeks, which you need to manage in the Premiership, and that’s the goal.

“I can’t wait to get going now because it ’s been a long f inish to the season with the Welders, and it ’s actually the f if th time I’ve come back at Glentoran because, as well as three times as a player, I was coach and manager of the Under-18s before going to Distiller y with Tim McCann.

“Ronnie has been Portadown manager for most of my career and of course he managed the Glens too. He’s got all that Irish League experience and you’ve got to tap into that.”

Smyth says he’s now ready to embrace a “new positive era” at Glentoran af ter f ive great years at the Welders.

He added: “After 13 years here, I know the club and what’s expected and I’m ready for the challenge. RONNIE McFALL: The legendary Irish League figure, who took over at The Oval last season when Gary Haveron left, will remain as first team manager.

GARY SMYTH: Former Glentoran defender Smyth left his job as manager at H&W Welders and has signed a three-year contract as an assistant manager while he works on getting his coaching badges.

PAUL LEEMAN: Another former Glens defender, Leeman also joins on a three-year deal, only his role will be to work with Under-20s coach David Lowry and the Academy to create clear pathways for talented young players to reach the first team. KIERAN HARDING: Joined the club alongside McFall last season as assistant manager and will retain that role under the new set-up.

“Glenmen have got used to losing and that’s not something anyone here should accept. The f irst thing we need to do is get some stability into the team. If we make ourselves hard to beat and stop conceding goals easily then that will breed confidence among both the players and supporters and give us something strong to build on.

“So we need to come back af ter the holidays and immediately get the boys f it and confident, ready for the star t of the season. Then we can develop more of a winning mentality at all levels of the club. I never accepted defeat at any point in