Larne boss Tiernan Lynch threatens to 'do a Mourinho'…

Larne boss Tiernan Lynch threatens to 'do a Mourinho' over Gibson Cup question

Larne manager Tiernan Lynch threatened a passable Jose Mourinho impersonation when asked about the Inver Park club’s title aspirations this season.

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho famously said “I prefer not to speak” following a controversial 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in 2014.

And Lynch was tempted to follow suit when probed about his team’s potential role in the race for Gibson Cup glory in the months ahead.

Asked if Larne should be challenging for the league this campaign, the Reds boss joked: “I knew after one game the press would definitely ask me that question.

“I do think it’s going to be an extremely difficult league this year and please God, Larne are there or thereabouts or at least in the hunt come May.

“But I’ll keep my mouth shut at this moment in time. We’ll just get on with our business very quietly.”

Larne, who finished fifth last season, are currently fourth favourites behind Belfast clubs Cliftonville, Glentoran and Linfield to win the Gibson Cup.

The Blues, who are chasing a fifth straight league title, are 11/10 favourites with BetMcLean, with Glentoran 7/2 and Paddy McLaughlin’s Reds 13/2.

“You just have to look at the squad the Blues have and the squad the Glens have, both those teams will be hard not to fancy for the league,” said Lynch.

“But you also have to look at Cliftonville, the strength and depth they have, the same with Crusaders. Coleraine have also been flying in recent weeks. You could go on.”

Larne, who travel to face Glenavon on Saturday, were held to a scoreless draw in last week’s season opener against the Glens at Inver Park.

“It was a scrappy game and a typical first game of the season when both teams were maybe a little bit cautious under the lights and live on BBC,” said Lynch.

“It was nice and feisty but when it became a physical battle we stood up and matched that. I was really pleased with the players and their work ethic to grind it out.”

Glenavon head into Saturday’s game with Larne on the back of last weekend’s gutsy 2-2 draw with Ballymena United at the Warden Street Showgrounds.

The Lurgan Blues were down to nine men following red cards for Eoin Bradley and Andrew Doyle, only for teenager Aaron Prendergast to fire home a stoppage time equaliser.