James Singleton wants Glentoran to stop the stop-start — and Friday night at Inver Park is the first real test of whether Tuesday’s Big Two buzz can travel.
The Glens travel to Larne in the Irish Premiership on Friday 5 September, kick-off 7.45pm, four days after Singleton made his 150th appearance for the club in a 3-1 Co Antrim Senior Shield win over Linfield at the BetMcLean Oval.
League form has been choppy: two wins, two defeats from four. Singleton, 31, says that win-loss cycle has to end.
“We can’t allow this run of form to continue,” he said. “We need to become more consistent and start putting points on the board regularly.
“It’s very frustrating to lose a game after picking up three points in the one before. When you win, you have to build on it and carry that momentum into the next match.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do that so far. It has to improve quickly because otherwise you can find yourself with a mountain to climb.”
He pointed back to the post-Christmas run last season as proof the level is there — and to Tuesday’s Shield response after a league defeat as a habit they need to break the other way.
“I don’t think we have fully found our rhythm yet. It is only the opening month of the season, but we have to draw a line under that now.
“Whenever we have lost, we have responded by winning the next game, which is encouraging. We did that again against Linfield in the Co Antrim Senior Shield on Tuesday night. Now it is up to us to break that win-loss cycle when we go to Larne on Friday.”
Larne unfinished business
Last season Glentoran could not beat the Invermen in the Premiership — two losses, two draws — before Irish Cup penalty heartache. Singleton says those nights still sting.
“Those games against Larne last season were very frustrating for us in more ways than one. We felt we were on the wrong side of a few decisions, including red cards and penalties, which ultimately cost us.
“But it obviously didn’t all come down to that. We should have performed better in some of those games and come away with better results.
“Picking up a couple of wins could have had a major impact on the title race, and that is where a lot of the frustration comes from.”
Friday, he says, is a chance to make a statement at a tough ground.
“We know Friday will be a difficult game, particularly at Inver Park, but we have to believe in our ability to go there and get a result. We can make a real statement of intent if we produce the performance we know we are capable of.”
McMenamin lift — squad job
Deadline-day returnee Conor McMenamin is back at the Oval after a short spell at Coleraine. Singleton is glad to see him — and clear it cannot be a one-man story.
“We all know the quality Conor has and what he has produced for this Club in the past. The opportunity to bring him back came out of the blue, so everyone was delighted when the move was completed. It has given the players and supporters a real lift.
“But it isn’t about one player and we can’t place all the responsibility on Conor. As a team, we know we have to produce the performances we are capable of and put together a consistent run of results.”
Need to know
What: Irish Premiership — Larne vs Glentoran
Where: Inver Park
When: Friday 5 September 2026, 7.45pm
Away tickets: Larne FC Ticketco — Glentoran away support
East Belfast’s week started under the Oval lights against Linfield. It finishes on the coast. Singleton’s message is simple: win, then win again.
Read more: Irish League Saturday: Four Premiership Clashes to Watch Across Northern Ireland
Discover more from LoveBelfast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
, days after his 150th appearance in a Shield win over Linfield.){kind=link}