A WILL THERE’S A WAY

Garrett praises Mcfall’s approach as his reign gets off to winning start

GLENTORAN defender Willie Garrett believes Ronnie Mcfall’s back to basics mantra set the tone for Saturday’s win over Cliftonville at the Oval.

Top scorer Curtis Allen headed home on the hour mark to get the former Portadown manager’s interim reign off to a positive note in East Belfast.

Mcfall, inset, appointed to the end of the season following Gary Haveron’s sacking six days ago, had demanded his players leave the pitch “drained”.

And Garrett believes the straight talking 70-year-old has helped galvanise the Glens as they chase a top six finish and prepare to face Coleraine in the Irish Cup quarters this weekend.

“Big Ronnie came in and we had a good training session on Thursday night,” he said. “We worked on shape and it was a case of back to basics which I think we needed.

“He’s a big character and we knew our jobs going out which was evident in the clean sheet. It’s good to get a win after the last few days.”

Allen, who saw an early penalty saved by Reds keeper Brian Neeson, pounced for the winner on 61 minutes, heading home after Garrett’s initial shot was scrambled off the line.

While a win in Mcfall’s return to an Irish League dugout in two years writes its own headlines, Garrett accepts Glentoran have to build on Saturday’s bright start.

“When a new manager comes in, you often see a reaction,” he said. “But we face Warrenpoint on Tuesday night and we need to target another three points or this win will mean nothing.”

On Haveron’s sudden departure after just 17 months at the helm, he added: “I felt for Gary. He got me back in the team after two years out (with injury) so I have a lot to thank him for.