Players are playing for future: Kernaghan

Glentoran go into tomorrow’s Danske Premiership clash with Coleraine at the Ballycastle Road Showgrounds in their best spell of form, having won their last three games.

But Kernaghan, the former Republic of Ireland and Middlesbrough defender, is demanding more. "We are in a nice little run, but consistency has been our problem and it has been frustrating at times,” he said. “We defeated Coleraine in our last game at the Oval.

“It was by no means a good performance, but an early goal by David Scullion got us the points.

“I think Coleraine were a bit under strength on that occasion and I believe they will have a few boys returning. I’m just wary of back to back games.”

Midfielder Chris Lavery will again miss out due to a knee injury. Kernaghan emphasises the fact that although his team are sitting in a mid-table position, they still have everything to play for.

“A European place is still up for grabs, which could be an enormous financial benefit to this club,” he added.

“It really is a win-win situation for clubs sitting in the middle of the table. It gives us a chance of finishing the season on a high. It’s the same for the players. They are all playing for their futures.”

Coleraine chief Oran Kearney is hoping for a change of luck.

“We’ve lost our last three matches by a one goal margin,” he said. “There has been nothing in the games, but we just lacked that little rub of the green."