Co Antrim Shield: Declan Devine opens up on what trophy win would mean to him
Declan Devine says it "would mean everything" if he was to end Glentoran's recent trophy drought by lifting the Co Antrim Shield tonight. There hasn't been any silverware at The Oval since the Irish Cup win back in 2020 and Devine knows the fans want that record to change as quickly as possible.
However, the 51-year-old, who was part of the Glens Irish Cup winning side from 1996, wants this to be a platform to build on and not just a one-off trophy if they do go on to win it. "It would mean everything to me to win it," said Devine.
"There will be nobody happier or prouder to see our team lift that trophy on Tuesday night. When you sign on the dotted line to become manager of Glentoran you know there is an expectation, and I've no problem with that.
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"There is an expectation. I expect to get better every day of the week and improve the team, but I know we don't have a magic wand. Win, lose or draw, we'll be back in the next day, ready to work again. It's a process for us.
"Look at where Larne are at this moment in time, they're climbing up the league at a rapid rate, European group stages, two league titles, they are the benchmark.
"Even though Linfield are well clear at the top of the table, in recent years Larne have been the benchmark and we certainly want to make sure that we put ourselves back up there with the big boys."
Devine though has sounded a warning to his squad, who are also through to the BetMcLean Cup final, reminding them they haven't won anything just yet.
"There's no point getting through the early rounds if you don't end up with that trophy in the back pocket going home," he said.
"We've a long way to go, we're here, we deserve to be in the final, we deserve to be in the final of the League Cup and we deserve to be in the next round of the Irish Cup, but that's all. The club hasn't won trophies on a consistent basis for a long time and we're just trying to bridge that gap.
"It doesn't matter who we are playing, we have to give everything of ourselves and that's been the mantra all year. We have a squad now that is chomping at the bit, not just to be involved but to get into the starting eleven."
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