Michael O'Connor confident former League of Ireland winger 'will definitely improve us' after joining Glenavon
Glenavon manager Michael O’Connor insists new signing Gavin Gilmore “will definitely improve us” after the former Finn Harps attacker became their first arrival ahead of the January transfer window.
Gilmore has spent the entirety of his career to this point in the League of Ireland at Galway United, Athlone Town and Finn Harps, where he made 18 First Division appearances last term.
The 22-year-old scored one league goal for Harps, who finished eighth in the Republic of Ireland’s second-tier, and has been training with the Lurgan Blues in recent weeks.
Gilmore is O’Connor’s first signing since taking over at Glenavon from Paddy McLaughlin in October and he’s confident their new recruit can quickly become a fan favourite.
"Gavin is a great lad,” said O’Connor. “His standards are really high, he works really hard and he will definitely improve us.
"He came to train with us for two weeks and I thought he was brilliant even though he missed four or five weeks where he wasn’t training.
"He looked really sharp. He’s going to make us a better team. He’s a bit different to Stephen Mallon, Peter Campbell, he’s one of those who the fans will take to because he wears his heart of his sleeve and he’s an honest lad.
"He can play on both wings and he could play 10 as well so he has that flexibility where we can play him across three positions.
"He’s definitely someone who is going to come in and be pushing Stephen, Peter and Corey Smith because if they’re not on it he will be in there ready to go.”
O’Connor has previously stated his intention to sign “three or four, maybe more” players during the upcoming transfer window as Glenavon look to fight off relegation, but he insists it’s about character as well as talent.
"They have to be the right character for the club,” he added. “I don’t want anybody coming in to upset the changing room.
"Gavin is a lad who will make that changing room stronger. He’s a quiet enough lad but he sets high standards.
"They have to be the right character but they have to be good players as well – we’re not just going to sign good lads, we want to hold players accountable and get them going.”