Glentoran legend feels 'good times around the corner' with 'absolute smasher' joining Irish League club
Glentoran legend Pete Batey believes “good times are just around the corner” for his former club – and has described one new recruit as an “absolute smasher”.
Batey enjoyed a trophy-laden stint at The Oval between 1995 and 2002, captaining Glentoran to Irish Cup glory against ‘Big Two’ rivals Linfield in 2001.
Having made 259 appearances across all competitions for the Glens, scoring 28 goals in the process, Batey knows what it takes to thrive in one of the Irish League’s most pressurised environments – and he’s liking what he’s seeing currently.
Earlier this week, Declan Devine’s men booked their spot in a BetMcLean Cup final showdown with Linfield at Windsor Park next month and are looking to seal Irish Cup progression against Drumaness Mills on Saturday.
While it appears unlikely the East Belfast club will end their 17-year wait for Gibson Cup glory this term with leaders Larne firm favourites, they’re in the running to seal an automatic return to European football.
Glentoran were also the biggest winners of the recent transfer window, signing the likes of Josh Daniels, Aaron McEneff and Jarlath O’Rourke as Devine significantly bolstered his squad.
The arrival of Daniels, who won three league titles with Welsh outfit The New Saints, has particularly caught Batey’s eye and he’s confident they are on the right track for success.
"I don't know if it's a gut feeling or what it is, but I really don't think the Glens are far away,” he said. “I honestly don't - I think the good times are just around the corner for them.
"Sometimes you need other teams to be on the decline or going through a rough patch.
"I think Coleraine are maybe still transitioning to the full-time model, on paper they look amazing but I think the manager (Ruaidhri Higgins) might need another season to get that embedded and playing how he wants.
"Linfield are the gold standard, they've won six league titles in 10 years or something like that and it’s classed as a dip, everybody else would bite your hand off. They've had a poor year by their high standards.
"Glentoran have brought in a number of players and there's nobody not proven. They're ready to go. Josh Daniels is an absolute smasher.
"I have watched them a few times and they look decent, there's a belief there. I'm friendly with Tim McCann and if they won the league I would be over the moon for him, he eats, sleeps and breathes football.
"What Decky has done has been gradual, it wasn't amazing from the beginning, but they're getting there now and they're becoming hard to beat.
"I think Glentoran aren't far away at all. They may catch Coleraine and finishing second would be a good building block."
Glentoran have won six of their last seven Premiership matches – the sole blip a 4-1 defeat to leaders Larne – and would sit seven points adrift of the Inver Reds if they were to win their two games in hand.
Batey believes they’re making important strides and feels Glentoran’s rise is positive for the Irish League.
"I really enjoy watching them now,” he added. “I think they're physical, get about the pitch well, and they've not had many poor results this season.
"You can never accuse them of not trying, they look cohesive and if they were a big price I'd be putting a couple of quid on them to catch Larne.
"It's good to see because the league needs a strong Glentoran going in the right direction."