Patience isn’t a word that is regularly associated with Glenavon Football Club.

When you see the number of managers they’ve gone through in the last decade you understand why — current boss Marty Quinn is the seventh man to take control since Roy Walker’s departure ten years ago last month.

It’s a virtue that will now have to be exercised around Mourneview way for those still caught up in the excitement of Gary Hamilton signing for the club, albeit on-loan from, tomorrow’s opponents Glentoran.

Given that Glenavon have wrestled with mediocrity since being relegated to the intermediate ranks six years ago, no excuses are required for those eagerly anticipating Hamilton’s first outing in the blue shirt.

With that bow at least six weeks away, large portions of patience are a must.

It’s a bit like knowing you’ve got the one present you asked for at Christmas, but not being allowed to unwrap it until the New Year.

Quinn is happy to wait though, in expectation that once the paper is ripped off, his new toy will give him hours of delight.

“Everyone around the club is excited about the signing of Gary Hamilton — and that includes the manager,” said Quinn.

“We knew going into the deal that he wouldn’t be able to play for 6-8 weeks. There are no complaints about that. We just have to make sure he’s right before we bring him into the team.

“For a long time now there has been a lot of talk about Gary Hamilton coming to Glenavon and I am very happy to see him at the club.

“I know Gary, I like him, he is a good lad and an excellent player.”

Hamilton’s arrival has somewhat overshadowed the return to the club of midfielder Sammy Stewart (pictured) after a spell at Aberdeen.

He too is having to wait to play due to a delay in his international clearance.

Hamilton will be the first to admit that his form has dipped in recent times. Certainly the goals haven’t flowed as much as in the past and Quinn is determined to see the former Northern Ireland international get back to his best.

“I’m expecting goals from Gary and I’ll be wanting him to get back into the box and play his football in there,” said Quinn.

“I think of late at Glentoran he’s been doing a lot of his work outside the box and he’s not going to get the same number of goals out there.

“On his day he is the best striker in the league and he’s a very intelligent player too.”

Going from Glentoran to Glenavon might be considered a step down, but as someone who has never hid the fact that he’s been a Glenavon fan from his boyhood, Hamilton’s switch to Mourneview Park is the fulfilment of an ambition and will renew his hunger for goals.

“The fact that Gary has come to his local club, a club that he has always said he supports, will mean he will want to do well,” said Quinn. “His family are Glenavon fans as well and he’ll want to do well for them as much as himself.”