Glens win over Blues 'massively pleasing' - Devine

Declan Devine celebrates Glentoran's victory at the final whistle

Glentoran boss Declan Devine praised the character of his team as they held on for 1-0 win over leaders Linfield despite playing for much of the second half with 10 men.

Marcus Kane put the Oval hosts in front late in the first half before teenager James Douglas was dismissed on 58 minutes for two yellow cards.

Linfield pressed for an equaliser but the Glens held firm to earn three points and move up to third.

"It's massively pleasing - we showed great character and a great willingness to dig in," said Devine.

"A really good Linfield team threw everything at us so to keep that clean sheet was massive."

It completed a double over their Big Two rivals after the Glens won at Windsor Park last month.

Friday night's victory was also a major boost after last weekend's 2-0 home defeat by Portadown.

"I said before the game that we needed to give the fans something to shout about on the back of the disappointing result last week.

"When the players are giving everything the fans will get behind us and when the fans get behind us in difficult moments it's a very difficult place to play.

"I think it was a massive effort from the club, not just the team, to get across the line with 10 men and that was the most pleasing thing about it."