MOTHERWELL v GLENTORAN FIR IT

Rob has no fear of Scots

ROBBIE MCDAID is confident that Glentoran have built up enough ‘knockout’ power to rock Motherwell in next week’s Europa League showdown at Fir Park.

The Irish Cup winners set up an all-british date with Stephen Robinson’s Steelmen thanks to a 1-0 win over HB Torshavn in the preliminary round on

Thursday night.

And while the Scottish

Premier League club will be big favourites, Mcdaid says Mick Mcdermott’s men are capable of causing a shock.

He also believes the fact the Glens are Northern Ireland’s knockout kings after lifting the Irish Cup three weeks ago will have them fighting fit.

“We’ll go to Motherwell with no fear,” said Mcdaid, who opened his account for the new season with the only goal of the game against Torshavn.

“The one-game format is exactly the same as we faced in last month’s Irish Cup semi-final and final, so it’s another case of ‘win or go home’.

“When it comes to massive cup ties, we’re probably ahead of the pack. We’ve got a real taste of winning cup games and we want to keep that going.

“The last three games we’ve been involved in have all been ‘win or go home’ and those experiences have built up a real togetherness in the squad.” Mcdaid counts Motherwell midfielder Liam Donnelly (inset) as a friend – “he’s a Tyrone boy and a top lad” – and once played under Well boss Robinson for Northern Ireland U17s. “Stevie is a terrific manager and he did a lot for me in my time under him,” he said. “He was meticulous and instilled a real togetherness in that squad. As a young lad you probably don’t read into that but the power of a changing room is massive. That team I played in, we’re still best mates, a lot of us go on holiday together every year and that was down to Robbo creating that real bond.

“We weren’t anywhere near as good as the Hollands, Italys and so on but we were able to give a really good account of ourselves. Robbo instilled a real winning ethos and togetherness and we won a lot of games together.”

After a sluggish start with the Glens after joining the club in 2017, Mcdaid has emerged as a key player for the club, scoring 48 goals in 108 appearances.

Thursday’s instinctive strike against Torshavn came just three weeks after sweeping home the winner over Ballymena in the Irish Cup final.

“It’s been a crazy couple of weeks,” he smiled. “It’s nice getting the goals and the credit but as long as we’re winning games that’s the main priority.”

IT’S A KNOCKOUT Robbie Mcdaid celebrates after his goal saw off Torshavn on Thursday COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney says his players should relish their high-profile Europa League clash with Maribor in Slovenia. The Bannsiders face The Purples on Thursday after beating La Fiorita in the preliminary round at The Showgrounds. And as well as securing an additional £215,000 financial windfall by progressing, Kearney believes Coleraine have a lot to look forward to from a football point of view. “Playing Maribor in the next round was a big incentive for us,” he said. “Knowing the fixture and stadium we could be visiting, it was a big carrot. “The players grabbed the opportunity with both hands and we have a big tie now. We’ll do our homework and look forward to the trip to Slovenia.” James Mclaughlin bagged Thursday night’s winner (above) with a stunning strike at the death, rifling home after taking a superb first touch inside the area. “The goal was worth the wait,” said Kearney. “It was a great first touch and a brilliant finish.”