Singleton relishes duel with his old pal Marshall
Skipper determined to get better of former Glenavon team-mate
GLENAVON captain James Singleton is relishing the chance to get to grips with his good mate and former Lurgan Blues comrade Rhys Marshall tonight.
Marshall joined Glentoran from Shamrock Rovers in a three-and-a-half-year deal last month and won’t need any guided tours around Mourneview Park ahead of the 5.30pm kickoff.
The 26-year-old clocked up 225 league appearances for Glenavon over six years, helping the mid-ulster club to Irish Cup wins in 2014 and 2016.
Now he’s back in the Danske Bank Premiership aiming to perform a few magic tricks for one of Belfast’s Big Two.
Singleton always believed his pal had the talent to establish a career in the full-time game in England or Scotland, but it was Rovers who made a move and now the versatile player is back.
“Rhys could play at right-back or right-wing-back, so I would be marking him,” said Singleton. “We are still in touch every week and I’ve been winding him up.
“We know all about each other and it should be a good matchup. Rhys always had the potential to play full-time across the water.
“He always had the quality and ability but was unlucky. Shamrock Rovers was a big move and he picked up a few injuries. He’s full-time at the Glens and that can only improve his game.”
Singleton proudly wears the captain’s armband at Glenavon but it’s a dressing room bursting with experience.
“At the start of the season, Gary (Hamilton) said to me I had been at the club a long time and the time was right to become captain,” he said. “It was nice, but I still see Jonny Tuffey as the club captain because of his experience, and there’s loads of captains here like Jonny, Colin Coates, Sean Ward and Andrew Doyle, and to have those leaders with captain material is good.”
The Lurgan Blues have raised their game this season and but for some questionable decisions from the officials they would have enjoyed better fortune.
“We’ve improved massively from last season,” added the 25-year-old. “I know we aren’t where we should be in the league but our luck is bound to change.
“We’ve been unlucky in certain games but it would be great if we could hold out more for some big results.
“We got a good draw with the Glens while down to nine men, and it was a good battling point.
“The way we are playing and with our confidence, I think we can put them under pressure and go on to win the game.
“Our aspirations are to challenge for a European place and do well in any cup competitions.
“We aren’t a bottom-six club and if we finish there I’d be very disappointed. We want to fight for Europe and trophies.
“Performances have been good and a few wins would fire us up the table. Glentoran are in a similar boat at the moment and it’s a massive game for both.”
Singleton has welcomed the Covid-19 testing which began on Thursday but he accepts a 38game season is unlikely.
“I think the break was right, the way cases were going,” he said. “The testing is a plus and greater reassurance for players. We were playing and training every week without testing and you might have no symptoms and pass on the virus. Hopefully the boys feel safe playing and going back to their families.
“I don’t know if we are going to get all 38 games. It’s a bit of a squeeze. We’ve the Irish Cup too.”