ARGUABLY the biggest game of the domestic season takes place at the Oval tonight when Glentoran host Linfield in the sixth round of the Clearer Water Irish Cup.
The stakes are high each time Belfast’s traditional ‘Big Two’ meet, but tonight’s encounter has even more of a back story than most.
The Blues are 19 points ahead of the Glens in the Sports Direct Premiership and on course for a 57th league title success.
The east Belfast club has been in hibernation in recent years but are showing signs of emerging from their slumber under manager Declan Devine.
Glentoran beat Larne in the Co Antrim Shield final earlier this month and will face Cliftonville in the final of the Bet McLean Cup in March.
Moreover, Devine’s team has not lost to Linfield this term, winning three and drawing one of the four encounters to date.
If the Glens win this evening win, they will stay on course for a clean sweep of the cup competitions, while Linfield would will fancy themselves for a league and cup double should they prevail tonight.
After beating Crusaders 2-1 in the league on Tuesday night, Blues boss David Healy played a few mind games with the cup clash on the horizon.
“We wanted the Crusaders game rearranged for next Tuesday, the Tuesday after the Irish Cup tie – and this was before we were drawn against Glentoran,” said the former Northern Ireland striker.
“I told the players we would have to go again and to use it, use a little bit of a siege mentality that we have and turn up at the Oval with what we have.
“The siege mentality is something that we use quite a bit.
“We know the challenges of playing Glentoran. They’re in really good form, they’ve won a trophy for the first time in a number of years.
“So we need to refresh after two games already this week and go and put in the effort that we normally do.”
Linfield striker Matthew Fitzpatrick is suspended for tonight’s tie after being sent off against Crusaders, while Glentoran midfielder James Singleton is out with a knee injury that could rule him out of action for the remainder of the season.
The Blues boosted their goalscoring options by signing former Crusaders hitman Kieran Offord at the weekend and the 20-year-old is available as he is not cup-tied and has been training this week.
Healy wanted to play him on Tuesday night but his registration wasn’t through in time and with Fitzpatrick suspended, the Scottish striker is in line for a debut tonight.
Meanwhile, Glentoran striker David Fisher committed himself to the east Belfast club after signing a two–and-a-half-year contract extension this week and was quick to praise the progress made under Devine.
“This season has been a huge turnaround for us and that’s entirely down to Declan and his coaching staff,” said the 23-year-old.
“They’ve transformed the squad, instilled a winning mentality, and raised the standards both on and off the pitch.”
