Douglas calls on Glens to build on Coleraine display

James Douglas says Glentoran must build on an improved performance against Coleraine when they travel to face Cliftonville in the BoyleSports Premiership on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

The Glens suffered late heartache at the BetMcLean Oval on Tuesday night as Lewis McGregor’s 94th-minute strike secured all three points for the league leaders in Glentoran’s first game since Declan Devine’s departure.

Despite the disappointment, Douglas believes there was enough in the performance to give the Glens encouragement ahead of this weekend’s trip to Solitude.

“It was a tough one to take, that’s for sure,” said the midfielder. “It’s never nice to lose, but to lose in that manner was a real kick in the teeth.

“It was always going to be a difficult game, given everything that had been going on and Coleraine’s form coming into it, but we were relishing the challenge and certainly had no reservations.

“I think that showed in our performance. We didn’t play within ourselves; we took the game to Coleraine.

“We had as many chances as they did over the course of the match and felt hard done by when they went in front with around 20 minutes remaining.

“It had been nip and tuck until then and you had the feeling it might be one of those games in which a single goal would decide it.

“We showed a lot of character not to allow that goal to affect us, which would have been easy given the build-up to the game. We dug in, kept going and got the equaliser our performance deserved. I think that says a lot about the squad.

“Unfortunately, with the way things have been going for us this season, we conceded very late and lost the game.

“It was gutting because I don’t think we deserved that. You don’t get anything in football simply because you feel you deserve it, but the margins are so fine.

“The mood was understandably flat in the changing room afterwards, but once the dust settled, we were able to look at the performance more objectively.

“There were plenty of positives to take from it. Coleraine are top of the league for a reason and came into the game on a long unbeaten run, but we matched them all the way and felt we should have taken something.

“That cannot be a one-off, though. It is the level of performance we need to produce every week. If we do that consistently, the results will begin to turn. We are not far away, but we need to turn those performances into wins.”

Douglas also paid tribute to Devine, who gave the Academy graduate his senior debut and helped establish him within the first-team squad.

“It’s never nice to see a manager leave, and the players were gutted to see Decky go,” he said.

“He has done so much for me over the past couple of seasons and I will always be grateful for the opportunities he gave me.

“We came very close to achieving real success during his time here, and it is disappointing that we were unable to get over the line.

“We know that, as players, we must take responsibility as well and become more consistent.

“Our focus now has to be on doing that and moving the team up the table. The Board will take care of the appointment and, whatever decision is made, we must continue pulling in the same direction.”

Douglas knows Glentoran will face another demanding test when they travel across Belfast on Saturday.

“We had some excellent results against Cliftonville last season, particularly at Solitude, but they will count for nothing when the game begins,” he said.

“Cliftonville lost to Larne on Tuesday night, but they will probably look at our recent results and feel this is a good time to play us. We have to make sure it isn’t and show them what we are capable of.

“The Coleraine performance has to be a marker for us. That level must become the minimum standard going forward.

“We are the only people who can turn this around, and the only way we will do that is through hard work. There is a real determination within the squad and nobody is feeling sorry for themselves.

“We have to remain resilient and stick together. We are extremely grateful for the support the fans continue to give us, and I know they will travel in numbers again on Saturday. It is up to us to repay that faith.”

For Glentoran fans planning to attend Saturday’s Irish Premiership fixture against Cliftonville at Solitude, match tickets are available to purchase at: https://cliftonvillefc.ticketco.events/