Manager’s programme notes
Posted : 6th October 2023
Tonight we will face Glentoran in the first meeting of our two sides this season. These games are always huge and this one will be no different.
Warren Feeney will be coming here tonight for the first time as Glentoran manager and he will be determined to come away with a positive result. His team will be fully focused on bouncing back after a couple of 2-1 defeats, at home to Coleraine and away to Carrick Rangers.
Glentoran have quality players throughout their squad, so they will be a huge danger and threat to us tonight. In spite of the recent contrasting league form of both teams, the old cliche of 'the form book goes out the window in derby games' has been proven to be true on so many occasions and tonight's game would be the perfect opportunity and platform for Glentoran to turn their fortunes around.
Last week's 6-1 Premiership win against Newry City was both pleasing and professional. The win put us in a nice position at the top of the table but it's so early in the season and our focus is on maintaining momentum and confidence and trying to keep the current run of positive results going for as long as possible.
Kirk Millar made his 400th appearance for the club in the Newry game and it was a real honour and source of pride for him to be made captain to mark what was a significant personal milestone for him in his playing career. He added two goals to make the occasion even more memorable and I'm sure he will continue to make a major contrition to the club over the coming months and years.
I was also delighted to see Darragh McBrien get on the scoresheet with his first of what we hope will be many goals for the club.
Stephen Fallon missed the Newry game because of the injury he sustained in the previous game against Crusaders. Stephen had only just returned to action following long term injury, so it's a real blow for him to pick up another injury so soon after his comeback.
Matthew Clarke also missed the Newry game because of a one match suspension and I want to take this opportunity to wish him every success for his eagerly anticipated Gala dinner at the Europa hotel next weekend.
Next weekend will also mark the 8th anniversary of my appointment as Linfield manager. It's another proud personal landmark for me and my family and I want to pay tribute to my loyal and trusted assistant Ross Oliver and the rest of my coaching and backroom staff who've all contributed enormously to the success we've enjoyed over the past eight years. However, we are fully aware that at this club the next game and the next trophy is always the most important one and achieving further success is all we are fully focused on.
Your positive vocal support for the team tonight will be greatly appreciated, as always