Gary Hamilton believes a strong Glentoran can only be a good thing for the Irish League.

The Glens have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes to climb to second spot in the Irish Premiership. They are also into the sixth round of the Irish Cup where they will meet 'Big Two' rivals Linfield and are preparing for the final of the County Antrim Shield later this month.

Declan Devine appears to have galvanised the club after a rocky start to the season, as the East Belfast men go in search of major silverware.

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Former Oval striker Hamilton says a successful Glentoran means bigger crowds at games, and a healthier away support which benefits other clubs in the league.

He told BBC Sportsound: "It is massive (that there is a strong Glentoran). Massive. We know that when Glentoran are going well it benefits every club in the league because they bring a big following.

"Everyone off the back of that benefits because of the big crowds. You saw the massive crowd there was at the Oval on Boxing Day.

"No matter what anyone says, nobody wants to see Glentoran doing poorly. It is the same with Linfield.

"Everyone wants to see Linfield do well in a roundabout way because it brings in money to the clubs when they travel away in their numbers and the money they generate through the gates.

"Hopefully Decky is in there now and things are improving because they have been a long way off. Even now at Christmas they are a lot of points off the top, which for Glentoran isn't good enough.

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"Maybe Decky will be the man who gets them closer to challenging again."

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