Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HEALY: GLENS ARE ALWAYS IN WITH A SHOUT
Glentoran v Linfield
DAVID HEALY is abiding by a familiar football cliche as he prepares for tonight’s Betmclean Cup showdown with Glentoran.
High-flying Linfield go up against their struggling derby rivals in a massive last-16 clash at The Oval.
The Blues sit top of the Irish Premiership, holding a commanding eight-point lead at the summit.
The Glens, meanwhile, have been left reeling from Saturday’s shock 3-2 defeat to Carrick Rangers which has heaped more pressure on their already embattled manager Warren Feeney.
Saturday’s loss – which saw Feeney and defender Patrick Mcclean (inset) both sent off – leaves the East Belfast men well out of the title race, 16 points adrift of their derby rivals.
The moods could hardly be any more contrasting when you look into both camps.
Despite all that, Healy insists “all form goes out the window” as he prepares to lock horns with former Northern Ireland teammate Feeney. “Absolutely, all form does go out the window. We have been in really good form going to Glentoran, or playing at Windsor, and we have struggled at times,” he said.
“It has also been the other way, where we have been lacking a bit of form going into a derby game against Glentoran and then you have a resurgent team on your hands.
“Players get the hunger for it, so we know what to expect. Glentoran have many good players on their team, and Warren Feeney is a top manager.
“They are not in the best of form right now but they will see it as a perfect opportunity to play us. But I also see it as a perfect opportunity to go and beat Glentoran and progress to the next round.”
Meanwhile, Glentoran assistant boss John Gregg says the team has to “look forward” as it attempts to build some momentum this season.
Saturday’s defeat to Carrick as their fifth loss in 15 league games this season, and their second against Stuart King’s men.
He said: “It’s obviously not ideal going into a Big Two game, but you have to look forward, dust yourself off and look at the next ball as they say.”