Latest news with #Glens
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rutherglen Glencairn seal promotion as boss praises squad
Glens will be playing in the Premier Division next season Joe Pryce praised goal hero Boris Melingui for the strike that sealed promotion to the West of Scotland Premier Division on Saturday – but says it was a whole-squad effort. Melingui deflected a Scott Jarvie cross into the net in first-half stoppage time to earn a vital three points that saw them finish second, following winners Arthurlie into the top flight, with Renfrew going up in third place. Pryce reckons striker Melingui provided a much-needed spark, but says everybody at the club has been rewarded for a long, hard season. Glencairn ended with five successive wins, and nine from their last 11 games, and Pryce was also delighted with a clean sheet in Blantyre. He said: 'It was a nervy game, and we knew it was always going to be. 'Boris scored right on half-time, we came in and settled everybody down, and though there weren't many scares in the second half, it was still nervy times, because one goal could change everything. 'We always had to keep it tight at the back. In the final game, to get a clean sheet away from home was just brilliant. 'If anybody thought that the three teams that were going for promotion were just going to sail through, that was never going to happen in our league. 'We were the only one of the three that actually won, with Renfrew and Kilwinning both dropping points. 'Boris came in just at the right time, as were going into the run-in, and were looking for a wee spark just to give us that extra edge. He has been absolutely brilliant. 'He fits into the team, he's a great lad, very popular with the players and the fans as well, and he has been brilliant. 'But it has been a full team, full squad performance. Everybody in the squad has contributed through the season, every single one of them. 'I thought the players were fantastic. In the last five games, where everything has been on the line, they've come up trumps in all five, and that's great credit to them. 'It's nine wins in 11 and I can't speak highly enough of them. After back-to-back defeats against Renfrew and Vale of Clyde, only five wins out of five was going to be enough for us. 'We put everything on the line in those five games, the players were absolutely fantastic, and I'm so happy and so proud of them.' Roan Fitzpatrick was a big winner as Rutherglen Glencairn held their Player of the Year awards on Saturday, shortly after sealing promotion to the West of Scotland Premier Division. Attacking midfielder Fitzpatrick won Committee Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Year. Striker Ryan McManus won Management Player of the Year and Top Goalscorer, while fellow hit man Boris Melingui was Website Player of the Year and Martin McBride picked up a Special Appreciation Award. Alex Forbes won 'Grumpiest Old Git of the Year'.
Belfast Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Glens chief: The return of Stewart shows our ambition
Ex-Linfield ace admits he must earn trust of fans in second stint at Oval Glentoran Sporting Director Paul Millar insists that bringing former Linfield winger Jordan Stewart back to The Oval 'speaks volumes about the ambition of the club and the determination to compete for major honours'. Stewart's return to the Glens on a two year deal with an option for a third season, following his exit from Crusaders earlier this month, brought a mixed reaction from supporters due to his previous association with Big Two rivals Linfield where he won multiple titles and cup competitions.
Belfast Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Glentoran confirm five departures while defender Paddy McClean is placed on transfer list
breaking | Fuad Sule will leave Glentoran this summer after the club failed to strike a new deal with the Nigerian-born midfielder. The 28 year-old has been a key performer for the Glens since joining from Larne in 2023. Sule was named in the Football Writers' Team of the Year earlier this month, after a string of superb performance at the heart of the Glentoran midfield.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Marcus Kane rallies Glentoran for high-stakes Cliftonville clash with European dreams on the line
-Credit:INPHO/Jonathan Porter Glentoran skipper Marcus Kane has emphasised the importance of a united front, calling on both fans and players to amp up their energy levels for tonight's high-pressure European play-off semi-final clash against Cliftonville at The BetMcLean Oval. With eyes fixed on a place in Sunday's decider and a potential spot in the UEFA Conference League at stake against either Coleraine or Crusaders, Kane is summoning full-blooded passion and vigour from the stands and on the field as the Glens aim to wrap up their campaign triumphantly. "This is a huge night for the club. We're treating it like a cup final, because that's exactly what it is for us," declared the Glens captain. READ MORE: North West 200: What time do the roads close today? Practice schedule, road closures and other information READ MORE: Cliftonville issue statement on Irish Cup final disorder and 'seek meeting with authorities' "Since the Larne game, there's been a real sense of focus and determination from the players and staff. We've worked hard on the training pitch and now that we know we're facing a strong Cliftonville side, we've dialled in on what it'll take to beat them. "We know what's at stake, and we're determined to get the job done at The BetMcLean Oval. We also know how much of a difference our supporters can make. They've been incredible all season - home and away - backing us through every moment. We'll need that same energy and intensity on Wednesday night to help drive us over the line. "That said, we know we've got to give them something to get behind. The responsibility is on us to be full throttle from the first whistle, to put our bodies on the line, and to do whatever it takes to get the result. It's going to take all of us - players, staff and fans - pulling together to help this club finish the season on a high and secure European football." Cliftonville arrive in east Belfast just four days after their heartbreak in the penalty shootout defeat by Dungannon Swifts in the Clearer Water Irish Cup Final — their second significant final following a close extra-time victory against Glentoran in the BetMcLean Cup. Tonight will see the fifth encounter between these sides for this season. The Glens triumphed in the first two clashes, clinching a 1-0 win at The BetMcLean Oval in September, followed by an unforgettable 2-1 turnaround at Solitude come December. But Cliftonville returned stronger in the latter part of the season, halting Glentoran's 16-game unbeaten streak with a 2-0 victory at Solitude in February before narrowly conquering the BetMcLean Cup Final with a 1-0 victory at a packed National Stadium in March. With ambitions set on reaching Sunday's finale, Kane emphasises that his team is intent on delivering a standout performance when it counts the most. "This is our fifth meeting with them and every game has been tight. They edged us in the BetMcLean Cup Final and that's a result we've carried with us. There's definitely extra motivation to put things right. "We have huge respect for Cliftonville - they're a strong side with quality right across the pitch - but we also know what we're capable of when we hit our levels. "Since the Larne game, there's been a real focus and togetherness in the group. We've trained with intensity, prepared properly, and now it's about delivering when it matters. "A club like Glentoran belongs on the European stage. Our job now is to rise to the occasion, give the supporters a performance they can be proud of, and make sure we take the next step on Wednesday night." Glentoran manager Declan Devine admits he'll be without key players Dylan Connolly, Christie Pattison, and Fuad Sule through suspension, yet captain Kane remains confident, declaring: "Losing a player of Fuad's calibre is naturally a blow - he's been a standout for us all season. But we've got quality throughout the group and players ready to step in and make an impact when called upon. "Cameron [Palmer} and Nathaniel [Ferris] have trained superbly since returning from injury and the likes of Aaron [Wightman], Charlie [Lindsay] and Finlay [Thorndike] are all hungry to take their chance. That competition is exactly what you want heading into a game of this magnitude. "Everyone's focused, everyone's ready, and we'll head into Wednesday night as a tight, determined group, fully committed to getting the job done." Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rutherglen Glencairn promotion dreams boosted with crucial win
Glens are in a good position to nab one of two available promotion slots Rutherglen Glencairn gave their promotion hopes a major shot in the arm with a comfortable 2-0 win at Kilbirnie Ladeside on Saturday. Goals from Ants Maguire and Boris Melingui keep Glens in fourth place in the West of Scotland First Division, but knowing that a win over Irvine Meadow, while rivals Kilwinning Rangers and Renfrew are idle, will see them leap up into second, going into the final day. Maguire struck in four minutes, taking a pass from Ryan McManus before smashing into the net. Melingui reacted fastest to net when his header hit a post in 28 minutes to double the visitors' lead and ultimately seal the points. And co-boss Joe Pryce admits he enjoyed his Saturday in Ayrshire. He said: 'It was a really good performance from us, and an excellent result. 'We got the early goal, which settled everybody down, and then got the second one just before the half-hour. 'It's a tough place to go, Kilbirnie, but we came back with three points and a clean sheet, which at this stage of the season we've got to be delighted with.' Pryce reckons Glencairn were better than even a comfortable win suggests, but was pleased with the three points. He said: 'The performance was more convincing than the 2-0 scoreline. 'At 2-0 they were in a position where they were always in it. Kilbirnie don't lie down, they'll go right to the last whistle, and they did. 'We could have scored a few more, but to come up the road with three points and a clean sheet at this stage of the season, we're happy with that. 'It was deserved. We were the better team for the majority of the match, and we had control of the game. 'We scored a couple of goals, hit the woodwork, their goalkeeper made a couple of good saves as well – it was a thoroughly deserved three points, I don't think anybody who was at the game would say otherwise.' Kilbirnie in 12th are four points ahead of third-bottom Maybole with two games in hand, but Pryce said: 'It's difficult playing a team that's fighting relegation, but it's always difficult going to Kilbirnie anyway. 'They're a massive club at our level, and for whatever reason they've found themselves at the wrong end of the table. 'It's always a great place to play, the pitch is always in great nick, it's a terrific stadium, and I always enjoy my trips there – especially on Saturday, and picking up three points.'
