Mick McDermott draws on Glentoran pressure as driving force

Glentoran head coach Mick McDermott is happy to embrace the pressure as his high-profile Oval outfit aim to bounce back from defeat last weekend - but expects a season ahead of “strange scenarios”.
Glentoran's Mick McDermott. Pic by PressEye Ltd.Glentoran's Mick McDermott. Pic by PressEye Ltd.
Glentoran's Mick McDermott. Pic by PressEye Ltd.

Last season’s coronavirus-disrupted Danske Bank Premiership campaign looked set for a thrilling finale, with Glentoran one of a number of clubs posting points on a consistent basis across the campaign.

Defeat last Saturday to Cliftonville marked a meeting between two of last season’s leading lights and a blow to early expectations within a Glens fanbase relishing the return of Irish League football following such impressive progress under McDermott.

Now the Glens host a Glenavon side also looking to post a first win on the Premiership scoreboard, with McDermott anticipating a struggle for clubs to match the consistency levels of the past given an Irish League landscape still attempting to adapt to the challenges of living within the ongoing coronavirus concerns.

“It could be a team we are maybe not expecting will push on and there will be some strange scenarios,” said McDermott. “I’m sure there’s going to be a point this season a club cannot field a first team and, if having to isolate for 10 days, it could be youth players used for three fixtures.

“But there’s no point being angry about it, you just have to get on with it.

“Nothing has changed from last year, we prepare for games the same whether we win, lose or draw.

“When we first came in some predicted a relegation battle for us - within a year we went to 13 full-time players, no debt and won an Irish Cup.

“I don’t think the pressure is more - expectations might be more but we don’t deal in that, we look at it objectively, say where are we going and what do we need to work on.

“I put pressure on myself, we want to be successful and that’s the only way - you’ve got to continue to put yourself in positions where under pressure as that’s what drives you to do better.”

Glenavon boss Gary Hamilton has spent this week attempting to correct the issues with both defence and attack behind Saturday’s defeat to Portadown.

“When you break down the stats we had a high percentage of possession in attacking areas but lacked the quality, with over 30 balls into the Portadown box,” said Hamilton. “We’ve also analysed the defensive mistakes made as it was unacceptable given the players.

“As a former Glentoran player I know, given the money invested and calibre of player signed, the fans will be demanding a title challenge.

“So we must be better and will go aiming to put to use our work this week and the sense of freedom when going up against a club expected to win home games.”

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