Defiant 'it's in our hands' relegation rally cry from Irish League boss down by two points with two to go and crunch home clash against drop rivals

Trailing the Crues by two points with two games left on the senior schedule, the Lurgan Blues must turn the tables for a shot at senior survival via the play-off path.

But against-the-odds results have been a staple since O’Connor’s October appointment when facing a double-digit deficit in the drop zone.

The former Northern Ireland international, who returned as manager last year to the club he represented on the pitch following a successful playing career in England, kicked off his first job as senior boss with victory over Carrick Rangers.

Seven additional wins and four draws have sparked a revival which stands as one of the season’s most captivating storylines but which O’Connor is aware needs further hard yards before any fairy tale finish for Glenavon.

“The message to the boys is it's in our hands,” he said. "We can control the outcome of the season by what we do in the next two games.

“We were disappointed not to win last weekend (scoreless draw at Bangor) but we've lost one of eight games, which isn't bad considering how we started the season.

"It's going to be the biggest game for the club in 10, 12, 13 years so we're looking forward to it.

"In training this week I haven't changed anything at all...I don't like getting out of routines.

"The players know that it is the biggest game for the club for a lot of years but I won't be banging the drum about it.

"It's definitely exciting...as a player, once you cross the white line you can affect the game.

"You can still do it as a manager but you can't have full control of what decisions a player makes during a game...that's the hardest bit.

"It's the biggest game of my managerial career so far but we've got ourselves in a great position.

“In fact, I looked at a presentation we showed highlighting where we've come from and the last week in January we're still 11 points adrift from Crusaders.

"So we've done well to catch that up, the boys are in a good place so it's my job to keep them up.”

A successful January transfer window offered O’Connor the opportunity to reshape his squad, with key contributions from astute business providing the building blocks of a revival in the face of relegation built on increased control and confidence.

“I'll have a selection headache, which is a good one,” said O’Connor, who has engineered six home wins. "Back in October, the first game against Annagh United in the Mid-Ulster Cup we had 13 players available...Scott (Hughes, club physio) has done really well getting players back.

"The fans have stuck by us and they've been a big part in getting us to where we are now at this second.

"We've a chance of staying in the league, so I'm hoping they come out in numbers, which I know they will, as a 12th man.”