Glentoran will find it tough to reel in Linfield and Cliftonville in title race, but don’t write them off: Paul Leeman

In his 15 years at The Oval, ‘Leeper’ was part of one of the most successful Glentoran teams. He pulled on the green, red and black jersey 597 times, enjoying League and Irish Cup successes aplenty.

“They have been well in the title race this season, which is a position the Glens haven’t been in, in a long time,” he says.

“They dropped a few points, notably away at Ballymena, and have given themselves a lot of work to do.

“It’s going to be difficult, but I still wouldn’t rule them out. The thing is, it’s not really in their hands, they are now looking for favours from other teams.

“Glentoran certainly can’t afford to drop any more points. It will be difficult, but on their day they are a quality outfit, don’t write them off just yet. If they win their games and results elsewhere go with them, anything can happen.

“The reality is it’s difficult to see them clawing back that gap.”

Although it is new territory for most of the players, Leeman reckons there is enough experience in the dressing room to cope with a late title surge.

“It’s a new situation for most of them, but they have a heck of a lot of experience in that dressing room,” he adds.

“You only have to look at the likes of Paddy McClean and Darren Cole. Marcus Kane has been at the club for a long time and has won the Irish Cup a few times. Also, Elliott Morris, who is on the coaching staff, has been there and done it.

“Those type of guys will be invaluable in terms of these remaining games and keeping people focused.

“All Glentoran can do is concentrate on the next game, get maximum points to see where it leaves them. They can’t afford to worry about what is happening elsewhere.

“In terms of the run-in, Linfield will be better equipped —the likes of Jimmy Callacher, Jamie Mulgrew, Niall Quinn and Matthew Clarke are all serial winners. They have won doubles and numerous titles.

“It’s phenomenal the number of times Mulgrew has won the League title, so they have that behind them. The manager, David Healy, has been there before, his record is unbelievable.

“There were a lot of questions asked of Linfield this season. They have been criticised for not playing a good brand of football — they are not good to watch, they need a striker, they need this, they need that. But they are still sitting at the top of the table.

“Sometimes it’s that know-how that gets you through. They have managed to grind out a few massive, massive wins lately. They did it against Crusaders and did it again last weekend away at Warrenpoint Town, scoring the winner deep into injury time.

“It was the difference between six points and two points but you could say the same thing about Linfield for many years, they keep going right to the end.”

Leeman also believes Cliftonville deserve their place at the top table.

He goes on: “I have to hold up my hands, I predicted earlier on in the season they wouldn’t stay with the Blues and the Glens — I thought it would have been a two-horse race.

“I’ve covered a lot of their games this season and there seems to be a lot of good spirit around Cliftonville. There is a real togetherness among the players, they battle for each other.

“That has got them through a lot of tough games and has kept them challenging in the League. The manager, Paddy McLaughlin, and the players must be given so much credit for what they have done.

“I know they are doing an extra night training, but a lot of their players are still holding down full-time eight-to-five jobs, so the players must be given the plaudits they deserve.

“They are very much in the title race. The big thing Cliftonville have this season, that they may have lacked before, is the fact they have got a bit of depth and a lot of quality about their squad.

“They have been able to call in boys from the subs’ bench like Chris Curran, Paul O’Neill and even Joe Gormley. Colin Coates, who won the title and a lot of trophies with Crusaders, is also there. That tells you the strength they have.

“Cliftonville will certainly have a big say where the title eventually ends up.”

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