Rodney McAree hails 'exceptional' Dungannon Swifts star as they look to continue ascension up Premiership table

Glenny has played a part in every top-flight match for the Swifts this season, helping McAree’s men challenge for their first top-six league finish since 2010 – they currently sit third, just two points adrift of second-placed Glentoran.

The 22-year-old has arguably been the standout full-back across the Premiership this season, providing a threat in attack (no defender has scored more than Glenny’s three goals) while also playing a key role for a Dungannon side that have kept 10 clean sheets – only league leaders Linfield (11) can boast more.

Glenny, who progressed through the youth ranks at Stangmore Park into a senior star, signed a new contract extension in October alongside Kealan Dillon and also scored in last weekend’s Irish Cup success against Rathfriland Rangers.

"Adam Glenny scored last weekend...he’s a great player,” said McAree. “He has been brilliant and he wasn’t at himself on Saturday because he wasn’t feeling well. He has been exceptional all season.”

McAree is also delighted with the attacking options at his disposal after January recruit Brandon Bermingham scored the opener on his debut outing last Saturday before John McGovern came off the bench to net twice and Andrew Mitchell got his name on the scoresheet.

"I thought he did really well,” McAree added on Bermingham. "He showed some good touches – he hasn’t played any football since the beginning of November.

"He lasted 90 minutes, he’s a fit boy and he has impressed in training.

"He will know himself that he can do better and there will be sterner tests ahead but I thought he did very well for his debut.

"He had only had three training sessions with us. I thought he showed good awareness, he likes to play off the left and play off the striker, but he can also play through the middle himself. He did extremely well.

“He has a turn of pace and can go both ways. His right side is stronger than his left but he has the capabilities of going down the line as well.

"I know there were things that maybe frustrated him when he took a heavy touch or his touch got away from him...he can be happy with his performance.

"It’s good to have (the attacking options) and we’re going to need them all, so it was nice to see all three of them getting on the scoresheet.

"John has been struggling a bit with a thigh injury so it gave us an opportunity to control his minutes.

"With his first goal I thought he showed good perseverance winning the ball back and it was a good finish and his second was a great header.

"I’m delighted to see him coming off the bench to score, I’m delighted to see Brandon score and to see Mitch score too.”

Dungannon’s meeting with Crusaders at Seaview is also significant as it’ll mark the first time a female referee takes charge of a Premiership clash.

FIFA referee Louise Thompson, who previously became the first female to referee the Intermediate Cup final in 2020, has been in the middle for international matches and will now tick off a men’s top-flight first.