Rodney McAree clear 'it'll be a costly one' for Irish League rivals to prise away star amid transfer interest

Glenny starred as Dungannon began their Irish Cup defence with a 3-0 victory over Ards on Saturday, providing an assist for Junior’s strike which doubled their advantage at Stangmore Park.

The 23-year-old has been a standout performer during a historic period of success for the Co Tyrone club, making 38 Premiership appearances last term as McAree’s men finished fourth.

Glenny has once again been an ever-present throughout the current campaign, scoring four goals across 23 league matches as Dungannon put themselves in contention for European football.

His performances have generated interest from Irish League rivals, but McAree is determined to keep hold of his star talent as he looks to build on recent results.

"No, nothing official,” he said. “A lot of rumours.

"You see things in the paper about Adam Glenny – there's nothing official so at the minute I'm not worrying about anything.

"Yeah, absolutely (we want to keep him). If somebody wants to pay the dough they can take him. He's well protected (Glenny signed a long-term contract) so it'll be a costly one but I think Adam's happy as well.

"We have three or four coming out (of contract) at the end of the season which we'll see what happens there, but we want to try and hold onto our best ones.

"In the past we've always lost our best ones too soon, we've never given ourselves a chance to build or do better, so we want to try and hold on as best as we possibly can.”

McAree handed a senior Dungannon debut to Shea Gordon, who came through the clubs youth ranks, in Saturday’s cup victory after his transfer from Cliftonville while returning Corey Smith was also introduced in the second half.

With the pair arriving earlier this week, McAree feels he has now compiled Dungannon’s most talented squad ever and isn’t actively seeking any further recruits.

"I would like to finish the month with what we have,” he added. “I'm having no urgency to go and sign anybody.

"If I end up with what I have then I'll be happy. If you happen to lose one or two, not that I see that happening, obviously you have to go and replace them as well.

"Hopefully we have what we have at end of this month.

"I think this is the best squad, the best squad of players that I've ever seen at Dungannon to be honest.

"There's a wealth of talent but it's not just in our starting 11 or first 15, it's from one right through to 24. We've got a very, very strong squad and that's nice to see.”

The Swifts will face a trip to either Portadown or Annagh United in next month’s Irish Cup sixth round – their clash was cancelled on Saturday due to a failed pitch inspection at Shamrock Park.