Former Bournemouth defender Zeno Ibsen Rossi scored just 38 minutes into his Glentoran debut as Declan Devine’s side kept their European hopes alive despite a 2-1 Conference League first qualifying round first-leg defeat at The Oval.

Rossi, who was only announced as a new Glens player on Thursday morning, rose highest to powerfully head home Ryan Cooney’s corner.

Latvian international midfielder Martins Kigurs struck either side of half-time to ensure RFS take a one-goal advantage back to Riga ahead of next Thursday’s reverse fixture.

Back in Europe for the first time in three years, Glentoran were handed one of the toughest possible draws against the current Latvian top flight leaders who have qualified for both the Europa League and Conference League in recent years.

placeholder image — Zeno Ibsen Rossi scores on Glentoran debut. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

RFS are familiar to Irish League fans having defeated both Linfield and Larne on the European stage – they won 4-0 on their last trip to Northern Ireland against the Inver Reds in 2024.

Devine will undoubtedly be proud of his side’s performance in their first competitive match of the 2026/27 season – in contrast, opponents RFS have played 22 league games in preparation.

The Glens will travel to LNK Sporta Parks as significant underdogs – RFS have scored 33 goals and leaked just eight in 11 home matches so far this season – but still have hope of sealing progression and the financial windfall which comes with it.

Rhys Walsh, who returned to Glentoran on Thursday afternoon, was an unused substitute while fellow summer signing Greg Sloggett wasn’t in the squad.