Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins ‘really gutted’ over Declan Devine’s departure from Glentoran

Devine left his post as Glentoran manager on Monday after pressure mounted following a poor start to the campaign.

The Glens had only won two out of their opening six games prior to Devine’s departure, which came to a head after a disappointing home draw to Bangor last Saturday.

It meant Devine was absent from the Glentoran dugout in Tuesday night’s late defeat to Higgins’ Coleraine side, who bagged a precious three points with virtually the last kick of the match in a 2-1 victory.

Higgins has tipped Devine, who he labelled as “a brilliant” person, to make a return to management when he wishes to do so in the future.

“First of all I'm really gutted to see Declan move on from the job,” he said.

“He's someone I've known since I was probably seven or eight years of age when he was working with Maiden City and I was a wee nipper trying to become a footballer.

“He's a really personable fella, really warm-hearted person and a brilliant person.

“I hope he's okay – I know it can be difficult.

“I'm sure when he's ready and fit and feeling up for it he'll be back in the game.

“He certainly built a good team here, a really competitive team, and the next man will get the fruits of the squad he's put together.”

Devine led Glentoran to County Antrim Shield success in 2025 but missed out on further glory with two final defeats in the BetMcLean Cup.

Higgins believes it could have been a different outcome for Devine had “fine margins” gone his way.

He stated: "If it was easy everyone would be at it.

“There's so much nowadays, so much scrutiny.

“You can make a substitution and go one win the game, you're the best in the world.

“You make a substitution and you go on and lose the game you're the worst in the world – it's such fine margins.

“Declan took Glentoran to the final day last season in terms of the league – a long since they went as close as that.”