Gael Bigirimana ‘more to give’ at Glentoran

However, Bigirimana has stated that his full focus is on the east Belfast club and remains adamant that he can make a significant contribution at the Glens - plus that there is a lot more to come from him.

The former Newcastle United midfielder admits he knew very little about the Irish League when he first learned of Glentoran’s interest and he sought the counsel of ex-Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson, who played a part in the move.

“To be honest, I didn’t know much about the Irish League,” said Bigirimana. “I remember coming to Belfast with Motherwell to play a friendly against Crusaders...but that’s about it.

“In that period I wanted as much information as I could get.

“Obviously, Stephen was a big help to me, he was the one that got me in contact with the Glens.

“Then, I started to speak more with the club to get a feel for things.

“At that time for me, it was the right decision, I still believe that.

“It doesn’t matter that people may think ‘Why is he going over there?’.

“To me, it’s football wherever you go and sometimes you have to take a different path.”

Bigirimana was then asked about playing under Mick McDermott and this new life experience.

“For me, we started well with the Europa League campaign but we have had some injuries which have affected our form,” he said. “The table doesn’t lie, we are where we are.

“It hasn’t been good enough and we have maybe lacked consistency but in the last game before the break, (2-1 home win over Portadown) we played very well and should have scored more.

“Maybe we need a run, some belief and chemistry.

“It’s down to us as players and the team as whole.

“As a club we know where we want to be, we have set our own expectations and there is more to come from us.

“Personally, my family is enjoying living in Northern Ireland, I get to do what I enjoy and what I’m passionate about so I am grateful.”

In a twist of fate that often happens with football, just after his old mentor Robinson assisted in the move to Glentoran, Bigirimana would be heading back to Fir Park for Europa League duty.

“It was nice to go back and see some old faces, but ultimately I was there to help Glentoran and we came close,” said the Burundi international. “Right now my focus is on Glentoran, my family is happy here, we love Belfast.

“Future-wise, everything is uncertain with the pandemic but I am trying to take each day as it comes and to focus myself, to get into a position to help Glentoran as much as I can.

“I’ve so much expectation on myself and, as a believer, my Lord Jesus said ‘to whom much is given, much is required’.

“From where I’ve been in my past and with my experience, I feel I’ve more to give...my best is still to come.

“I want to help Glentoran to be successful and to be more influential overall.”