Declan Devine looks to the positives after Glentoran's involvement in Europe comes to an end

The men from east Belfast travelled to Latvia with a 2-1 deficit and quickly fell further behind when Modou Saidy found the net with just five minutes on the clock.

Glentoran’s best chance inside the first half saw Pat Hoban miss with a header, with the hosts then making 2-0 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate as Janis Ikavnieks netted just after the hour mark.

The final result brings an end to Glentoran’s venture into Europe but Devine focused on the positives across the two legs.

He said: “I can't fault effort and commitment and desire and some of the phases of play.

"Let's not shy away, it's a ridiculously high level opponent. In the last year and a half, they’ve beaten Ajax and played at an incredibly high level.

“They've outstanding players all over the pitch and I think they showed us the highest regard by making one change as they rested six or seven in the cup game on Sunday.

"But from our point of view, look, we're disappointed. We knew they were going to come at us because they felt that the next goal would really kill the tie-off, so we spoke about it and we knew they were coming for a fast start.

"When I see the goal back and I see Daniel’s (Larmour) off the pitch injured and the guy is behind the goalkeeper, it's an offside goal. But look over the course of the two games, I think we've given a really good account of ourselves.

"I think our fitness levels for being back three-and-a-half, four weeks and for the middle of their season, I think the players should take great pride in that.”

The Glens took a healthy crowd to Latvia for the contest and Devine has challenged his players to make an immediate return to the continental stage.

“Now that we have tasted this, we want to make sure next year that we're really back on it and hopefully give a bit more luck in the draw,” he added.

“I think as a group in there, they're empty. They're absolutely empty, they're exhausted. The preparation for the two ties has been intense.

"But tonight, listen, we want to reward our fans. The effort and commitment there was great, it was brilliant...but we've got to nullify mistakes and if we can do that, we'll turn ourselves into a really good team.

"We shouldn't be judged on the level of opponent that we have faced...we should take confidence from it. Not once did we lie down in the two ties, not once.

"I’ve been in the game a long time and I've never seen travelling support like that...never seen travelling support like that.

"Money's tight and people are making a commitment to come and get behind the team. I think afterwards, the reception they gave the players is a reward for the effort and endeavour that the players put in.

"We now have to get back, get organised and make sure that we're ready for the start of the season.”