Rodney McAree says Dungannon Swifts' fine run of results is largely down to the players ahead of Glentoran test

The County Tyrone outfit find themselves third place in the table and caught the eye last weekend after a 3-0 victory at the home of reigning champions Larne.

The Swifts will hope for even more away day joy this afternoon as they face McAree's old club Glentoran at The Oval.

Whilst acknowledging their start to the campaign, McAree knows that his side will inevitably have "a blip" along the road.

He said: "We know the game against Glentoran is going to be extremely tough.

"They are a big physical side and they had a great comeback against Linfield and then beat Carrick Rangers in the County Antrim Shield.

"We will go there and embrace the challenge and look to secure another positive result.

"The good run of form is largely down to the players as they've bought into what we're trying to do and there's a good togetherness within the squad.

"We seem to also have a bit of momentum as winning, just like losing, becomes a habit and we have more confidence due to our victories.

"I think our recruitment has helped with that but it's important now that we don't become complacent.

"The players are a great bunch to work with and we prepare for games the best way that we can...but we fully understand we will have a blip and that’ll be the real test.”

Only Larne have conceded less goals than the Swifts so far this season and that’s a statistic McAree wanted to see improvements in.

"I think we have kept six clean sheets this term which has been superb,” he reflected.

"We conceded 69 goals in the Premiership last season and we want to improve on that number as you don’t want to have the pressure of needing to win games 3-2 or things like that.

"Defensively we have set-up differently against different teams and so far it has thankfully worked.

"We know Glentoran have the capabilities of hurting us in the final third if we let them do that, so we need to be fully focused.”