McCann hails Thomson impact in comeback win for Glens

Joe Thompson celebrates scoring his first goal against Loughgall

Glentoran assistant manager Tim McCann says Joe Thomson is a "top, top quality player" after the debutant scored both both goals as the east Belfast side fought back to beat Loughgall 2-1 on Saturday.

Nathaniel Ferris bagged a first-half opener for the bottom club at Lakeview Park before Thomson's double won it for the Glens.

Thompson, who moved from Larne to the Glens earlier this week, hit a superb equaliser before slotting home a penalty two minutes from time.

"Before his first goal Joe was struggling with an injury, he had a bit of a dead leg but we'd no more subs left because we had put everyone on to try and win the game," said McCann.

"He managed to get through it and then manages to score two goals.

"That's why the club signed him - he's a top top quality player, he's a leader on the pitch and has a never-say-die attitude. That's exactly what this club is all about."

The victory came four days after Glentoran ended a five-year wait for silverware by winning the Co Antrim Shield.

It also extended their unbeaten run to 12 games but McCann admits they were pushed all the way by Loughgall.

"It was heart in the mouth stuff the whole way through the game. It's always difficult to play against a good Loughgall team.

"It's difficult to come back from a goal down, the pitch wasn't conducive to play nice football, it was just a battle and we told the players that

"We're 11 players down and that's not making an excuse. We keep talking about the size of our squad and people stepping up. To a man everyone stepped up today."