Hi °C | Lo °C Glentoran skipper Paul Leeman admitted it was one of the greatest honours of his career to lead out his team against the stars of Manchester United in last night's glamour friendly at the Oval.
The match was to mark the 125th anniversary of the east Belfast club and although United ran out 3-0 victors, Leeman, who was named Glentoran's man-of-the match, was keen to point out that it was their night.
" It was a special honour for me and everyone was spending all week hoping they didn't get injured," he said.
"It was great to be a part of it - to do the toss at the start with Rio Ferdinand - and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
"It was one of those games where you just didn't want it to end because of the atmosphere and the crowd."
United were more than a class above their Irish League opponents and it showed at times - Leeman admitting they were given the runaround for much of the game.
It was all to be expected but obviously the skipper wasn't downhearted.
"They had so much class. Everything about them was just brilliant," he added.
"They had pace, skill and so much ability.
"There was just so much of a difference. If you look at the way we play we try and give the first ball quickly. They don't let go of the ball until the final killer pass is available.
"You could see by Nani's goal - he had a yard on Nicky (Colin Nixon) and just let fly - out of this world.
" Obviously we were kept very busy at the back and I kept a few out which is probably why I got man of the match. There were better players than me but I had more to do.
"But it was a great night all round. It is great for the young players to learn from playing against players of this quality. For younger ones like Carson, Berry, BJ (McMenamin), it will help them and they will always be able to say they played in such a big game."
