Devine denies Glens disrespected champions Blues

Glentoran boss Declan Devine said he had personally congratulated David Healy and his backroom staff on "their amazing season"

Glentoran manager Declan Devine has rejected suggestions his team disrespected Linfield by not giving the new Irish Premiership champions a guard of honour prior to the Windsor Park contest on 5 April.

Both Dungannon Swifts and Crusaders had performed the gesture for the Blues in previous weekends following their runaway title success.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Devine insisted that he congratulated Linfield boss David Healy and his backroom staff "on their amazing season and winning the league title" at the Harry Cavan Youth Cup Final in the week prior to the 5 April game.

"From my point of view, I'm not going to comment on guards of honour, I've more important things to concentrate on. I always give respect to anybody who achieves," said the Glentoran manager.

"I also texted David – people don't understand. I won't make any comment on a guard of honour, but Declan Devine as a human being is the first to congratulate any fellow manager because I know how difficult it is.

"That's my outlook. I congratulated David in front of his own staff and also did it privately. My sole focus going into football matches is to win."

With two series of games to go, Glentoran are currently in the second spot in the Irish Premiership table which secures European football - albeit they are 25 points adrift of the new champions.

The Glens will be keeping a close eye on Friday's contest at Inver Park as third-placed Larne welcome the Blues.

Larne will have the opportunity to move above the Glens into second place in the table but defeat for Gary Haveron's side would mean Devine's players would have the opportunity to guarantee the runners-up spot by winning at Dungannon Swifts on Saturday.