New Glentoran recruit feels 'exciting times' are ahead under Declan Devine prior to Irish Cup showdown with Linfield

Thomson joined the East Belfast side from Larne, where he won two Premiership titles and helped the Inver Reds create Irish League history by reaching the UEFA Conference League, last week and marked a dream debut by scoring twice in Saturday’s 2-1 Premiership win over Loughgall – a result which extended Glentoran’s unbeaten run to 12 matches across all competitions.

Having not featured as Larne were dumped out of the Irish Cup by Limavady United earlier this month, Thomson is set to get his first taste of the special ‘Big Two’ atmosphere at a packed Oval where Devine’s men will be hoping to continue their fine form against the runaway Premiership leaders.

Despite their superb league form, Linfield have failed to get the better of their bitter rivals this term, losing three – including being dumped out of the BetMcLean Cup – and drawing one of the four meetings to date.

It was been an impressive month off-the-pitch for Glentoran too as they secured the signing of Thomson alongside Shane McEleney, Ciaran Coll, Christie Pattisson and striker Nathaniel Ferris, who is cup-tied having helped former club Loughgall progress past Institute.

Declan Devine has also signed a new long-term contract extension, as have key players Dan Gyollai, David Fisher and James Singleton, giving the Glens faithful plenty to smile about.

Having lifted their first trophy since 2020 by beating Larne in the Co Antrim Shield final this month, Thomson is excited for the journey ahead with his new club.

"I'm delighted to be here,” he said. “It has been done for a couple of weeks and it didn't look like it would be done until the end of the season, but after the Co Antrim Shield on the Wednesday morning I'd heard about the possibility and it was done that evening.

"I think the togetherness, the way everyone is pulling in the same direction - there were so many things (which made me want to join Glentoran).

"The relationship with Decky and Paddy (McCourt, assistant manager) helped as well and their vision of the team and how they see the game. Everyone is buying into it and it's exciting times.

"He's (Devine) a good man with good values and sees the game well. I think the way he wants to play suits me and I'm delighted to be here."

Former St Johnstone midfielder Cammy Ballantyne has enjoyed an increased role in the Linfield side over recent weeks, starting in four consecutive league matches to help open up an advantage of 19 points at the top, and the 24-year-old is keen to finally tick off victory over Glentoran.

"It’s a massive game,” he told the club’s media channel. “We’ll go there with a game plan, be ready and we know what we need to do.

"We haven’t gave a good account of ourselves down there lately and we know what we need to do to hopefully get through.

"There’s always pressure playing in those big games but given we haven’t won against them so far...it’s not good enough and we will be looking to put that right.”