IT’S PUNCH TIME

Mick’s up for the fight

GLENTORAN boss Mick Mcdermott says the gloves must now come off for the start of the new Premiership campaign.

The east Belfast side today make the journey across town to Solitude to f a c e Pa d dy Mclaughlin’s Cliftonville in an appetising opener.

Mcdermott’s boys have failed to impress so far, edging past Bangor in the first round of the Shield before being taken to a penalty shootout by Championship side Ards in midweek.

On both occasions, the Glens l a c ke d a c u tti n g e d ge , b u t Mcdermott – who brought in a staggering eight new players over the summer – is hoping to put that right this afternoon.

“As it often happens in football, it you don’t take your chances, it can come back to bite you,” he said. “That was evident against

Ards on Tuesday. They were happy to sit in and soak up anything we could throw at them.

“But we are now down to the serious stuff, the start of the league campaign. I keep saying there will be no easy games and we have a really tough st a r t a ga i n st a wel l - managed Cliftonv i l l e side.

“Our target remains to make Glentoran a team that challenges for trophies.

Th e players know it ’s n o w essential for them to deliver.”

Mcdermott’s squad will be boosted today by the return of Paul O’neill, Bobby Burns and Caolan Marron, who were all on Northern Ireland Under-21 duty.

Elsewhere, Glenavon boss Gary Hamilton is relishing his team’s derby showdown with Portadown at Mourneview Park this evening.

It’s the Ports’ first Premiership

appearance since their relegation back in 2017 and Hamilton knows his side will have to fight fire with fire.

“Anything can happen in derby games, you need to be up for the fight first and foremost,” said the former Northern Ireland international . “We will treat them with respect, just as we treat all the top teams.”

Linfield host Carrick Rangers at Windsor Park having strolled to a 2-0 Shield win over the Inver Park men in midweek.

“Back to back games are not ideal, but it’s important we are professional and produce the same level of performance,” said Blues boss David Healy (inset).

In today’s two remaining games, Larne roll out the welcome mat for Dungannon Swifts at Inver Park, whi l e Cr usad ers v i sit Warrenpoint Town.

GLOVES ARE OFF Mick Mcdermott has told his Glens players they must challenge for trophies