Glentoran need a strong mentality to end season on a high: Warren Feeney

Glentoran boss Warren Feeney hopes his team can return to winning ways against Carrick Rangers

Glentoran boss Warren Feeney insists if his boys can adopt a rugged mental toughness, it will help them enjoy a big finale to the season.

Although their chances of parading the Gibson Cup for the first time since 2009 have long disappeared, Feeney reckons on their day, his team is a match for any side in the League.

If their first-half performance against Cliftonville in Tuesday night’s thriller at The BetMcLean Oval is anything to go by, the former Northern Ireland international striker is not far off the mark.

Glentoran totally bossed the opening 45 minutes and should have had more than two goals to show – scored by Aidan Wilson and Bobby Burns – for their enterprise, work-rate and general domination.

But the title-chasing Reds hit back after the break. Ronan Hale threw them a lifeline before Odhran Casey bagged a leveller with practically the last kick.

Bobby Burns celebrates finding the net to double Glentoran's lead in their eventual draw with Cliftonville

“It’s all about mentality,” stressed Feeney. “Cliftonville have that strong mentality, it’s something we are striving to achieve on a consistent basis.

“If we can transfer our first-half performance into 90 minutes, we’ll not be far away... I fancy us against any team in this League.

“We showed what we are about against the Reds in that first half, it’s now about getting the consistency to perform like that – that’s the difference between good players and top players.

“We certainly have them, and we are getting there. I wasn’t going to be critical of the players after the midweek result. They have been on a decent run and been showing good form. It was two teams in the