MARC MY WORDS

Glenmen are out of doldrums

GLENTORAN captain Marcus Kane is delighted to see the Big Two giants being hyped up again after enduring the Irish League doldrums.

The East Belfast men, resigned to mid-table mediocrity in recent years, are back challenging at the right end of the table under Mick Mcdermott.

A summer investment and injection of highprofile signings helped and Kane believes it’s a sign of things to come on Mersey Street.

The 28-year-old defender, the second longest serving player at The Oval behind Elliott Morris, said: “It’s great to be competing with the top teams again.

“The progress we’ve made is fantastic and it’s nice to see things turn. The word I would use is ‘resurgence’ given some of the frustrating seasons we’ve had in the recent past.

“Those three years (before this season) were hard given where we were in the league. We were giving our all, but still not getting results.

“Fair play to the current management, they’ve really built things up from a good pre-season and they have also brought quality players into the team.”

On making 282 appearances for the Glens, Kane - who made his debut under Eddie Patterson in 2012 - said: “To be closing in on 300 games is fantastic.

“It’s a bit surreal when I look at some of the names I’ve passed on the appearances chart and the good thing is I know I still have a lot more to give.

“I love the club and they have shown me a lot of loyalty in making me captain. It’s a great time to be here because I do believe we’re on the cusp of something special.

“Should it take us next year or the year after, we know we’re going in the right direction.”

Kane hopes Saturday’s 2-1 Irish Cup quarter-final win over Crusaders is a catalyst for the Glens who have slipped off the title pace with one win in their last five league games.

Mcdermott’s men are eight points off leaders Linfield and four behind second-placed Coleraine heading into tomorrow’s home clash with Cliftonville.

“We need to kick on,” said Kane. “Mick has gone back to the old mantra of ‘one in a row’ and our aim is to reach the split with as many points as possible.

“Cliftonville are a dangerous side and they have some very attacking players, but we have a good recent defensive record and will relish

the challenge.”