Glens’ skipper determined to set up Big Two date

SKIPPER Marcus Kane believes Glentoran have a lot to live up to in tonight’s County Antrim Shield opener against Queen’s University at The Oval.

The east Belfast team’s Under-20 side softened up the Students — they play in the Bluefin Sport Premier Intermediate League — at the weekend by roaring to a 3-0 victory in the Steel & Sons Cup.

Although Kane could afford a little chuckle, he insists his team will approach the game in a professional manner as they aim to maintain their excellent run of results.

“I know they are a half de- cent side,” he said. “Jamesie Ferrin played at Queen’s for a year when he came back from Australia before he signed for us.

“They are not going to make it easy for us, but we are determined to make an impact in every tournament this season, so we want to be in the next round.

“Our second team beat them on Saturday, so we have a bit to live up to now. Our aim is to set up a Big Two quarter-final next month — with respect to the PSNI, Linfield will be favourites to beat them. We’ll be confident of getting the job done.”

Glentoran are unbeaten since the opening day of the season when they succumbed to Cliftonville, who nicked an injury-time winner.

Kane said: “We have been working hard and getting results. Maybe a few results could have gone even better as we conceded late goals in the defeat by Cliftonville and draw with Coleraine.

“We really should be unbeaten at this stage — and have another four points on the tally. There are a lot of positives to take so far.”

The midfielder insists the team’s fitness levels have improved immensely.

“Our fitness has improved 100% from last season,” he went on. “We are going right to the end of every game. We are now a team rather than individuals.

“That’s the difference, everyone is now pulling in the same direction. We have really gelled since pre-season. We now meet early in the Ron Manley Suite before games which is a great help for the players to bond.

“You can see it with our performance — the work rate from the boys has been phenomenal.”

Kane expects manager Ronnie McFall to re-jig the starting lineup tonight.

“With the squad we have now, I suppose the boss will chop and change the team a bit,” he added. “Ronnie gave us the day off on Saturday, so we had a wellearned rest. Games are now coming thick and fast, so we are raring to go.” Looking ahead: Marcus Kane wants Linfield in the quarters