Glentoran boss Mick McDermott is relishing a “great test” in Sunday’s eagerly-awaited pre-season showdown with Rangers B at the BetMcLean Oval.
Some of the Ibrox club’s brightest stars, including former Glens youngster Charlie Lindsay, are set to feature in the summer fixture which kicks-off at 1pm.
A big crowd is expected but beyond the glamour aspect of the game, McDermott views it as another step towards fine-tuning his squad ahead of the new season.
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“It should be a really good test,” said McDermott. “Rangers B have some very talented players and I know we’ll be facing a strong team.
“We’ve been back in training early and ideally it would have been better to have this game later in the month, but the players are looking forward to the challenge.”
Sunday’s fixture will see the return of former Glentoran midfielder Lindsay who joined Rangers from the Mersey Street club in 2020.
The talented 18-year-old, who has starred for the Scottish club’s U18s and reserves, was handed his Glentoran debut by McDermott in 2019.
He made history in the process, becoming the club’s youngest player at the age of 15 years, five months and 24 days in a County Antrim Shield win over Ballyclare Comrades.
“I remember him coming on against Ballyclare,” said McDermott. “I was only going to put him on for 10 or 15 minutes, but we were 3-0 up and I introduced him in the 55th minute.
“He was only 15 at the time, but he did well and didn’t look out of place at all.
“This game was actually scheduled after Charlie joined Rangers, but because of Covid and the restrictions at that time, it had to be postponed until a later date.
“A good relationship exists between the two clubs - the likes of young Mason Munn joined Rangers from us last month - and they were keen to visit Belfast.”
Glentoran have been back in training early this summer, from the middle-of June, and played a charity game against Rathfriland Rangers last weekend, winning 2-0.
“We were in for three days a week from June 14 and we have built that up to four days a week and now full-time in recent weeks,” said McDermott.
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