Glentoran star determined to 'prove my worth' after frustrating injury setback

The former Bournemouth centre-back made an immediate impact at The Oval, scoring just a matter of hours after his signing was confirmed in a Conference League first qualifying round first-leg defeat to RFS.

Rossi started in each of Glentoran’s first three Premiership matches, helping his side keep clean sheets against Limavady United and Ballymena United, but then missed eight of their next nine through injury.

The Glens endured a tough run of results in Rossi’s absence with Declan Devine ultimately losing his job as manager.

Rossi, who arrived from Cambridge United after a loan spell at Shelbourne, returned to start in Duncan Ferguson’s first match in charge and kept a clean sheet in last weekend’s stalemate with Carrick Rangers.

Now back to full fitness, Rossi is eager to show the club’s supporters what he’s all about.

“It was such a frustrating time for me, especially after getting off to a great start,” said Rossi. “I hadn’t been at the club long when I was handed my debut against RFS, and you always want to impress when you’re a new boy, so to get a goal was great.

“Unfortunately, we lost over the two legs, but there was a real sense of optimism going into the start of the league campaign.

“I had played the first three games before picking up an injury. I made a brief comeback in the draw with Bangor but only lasted 50 minutes.

“That was to be me out for the next couple of months, which was gutting because I really wanted to hit the ground running, having made the move to Glentoran.

“What made it worse was that the results weren’t going for us either. You feel a bit helpless as you can’t do anything to affect the results.

“Then, obviously, Decky left, which was so disappointing as he had brought me to the club but never got the opportunity to see the best of me.

“Now that Duncan is in, there is a real energy about the place again. It had been tough when we were going through that run of results.

“I’m delighted to be back playing again. It’s been two tough games against Coleraine and Carrick Rangers, where we had to dig in as a team and make sure we got something out of each game.

“I loved it, though, and as a defender you like being tested, especially when you come away with something to show for your efforts.

“Hopefully, there are brighter days ahead for both myself and Glentoran. I just want to show the fans what I can do and prove my worth to this club.”

Everton legend Ferguson is preparing for his first home match as Glens boss against Bangor on Friday night and Rossi says the new manager has already made an impact.

“I think it’s a real coup for the club to bring in someone of Duncan’s standing in the game,” added Rossi. “He played in the Premier League for so long before working under some massive names at Everton as he moved into coaching.

“You can see how much that has rubbed off on him by the way he goes about his business.

“I know he comes with a reputation, but I think that really does him a disservice as people forget just how good a player he was.

“As soon as he came in, he had a real aura about him, and when he talks, you listen.

“He’s only been here a few weeks, but he has already had a huge influence on us, and he has a real passion and desire to bring success to Glentoran.”