How Sir Alex Ferguson inspired Warren Feeney’s title blueprint for Glentoran

Warren Feeney was frustrated with Glentoran's performance against Dungannon

Bobby Burns battles with Dungannon's Ethan McGee

Matthew Lusty gets away from Glentoran's Jonathan Russell

Jay Donnelly takes a tumble under a challenge from Dungannon's Grant Hutchinson

Dungannon's Ethan Devine is denied by goalkeeper Aaron McCarey

Glentoran may sit proudly at the top of the Sports Direct Premiership, but manager Warren Feeney doesn’t buy into that at this time of the season.

After watching his team blow the chance of hardening their challenge by being held to a draw by a gutsy Dungannon Swifts at the BetMcLean Oval on Saturday, Feeney admitted the League campaign is a ‘marathon not a sprint’.

Yes, they did strike the woodwork on two occasions and, yes, they did boss possession, but it was former Glentoran manager Rodney McAree who drove down Mersey Street with a huge smile on his face afterwards.

Bobby Burns battles with Dungannon's Ethan McGee

As he attempted to dissect his team’s frailties, former Northern Ireland international Feeney alluded to a meeting with former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson some years back.

“I don’t look at the League table at this time of the season,” he said.

“There are no League titles won in mid-September. I don’t buy into that one bit. I told the players there is a long, long way to go and there will be ups and downs along the way.

“I just try to put all that loose talk to bed. Sir Alex made a great statement when I was on a coaching course one time. He always said to his coaching team ‘keep me in the top three with 10 games to go and I’ll win the League’.

“He was true to his word and that has always been in the back of my mind. If we are in the top three with 10 games to go, I’ll be