Bannsiders boss Higgins expecting 'difficult encounter' at the Oval

Coleraine head coach Ruaidhri Higgins insists Glentoran's form is better than recent results indicate ahead of Friday night's heavyweight clash at the Oval.

The Glens are winless in their last five games to leave them 11 points against tonight's opponents but the Bannsiders boss believes they have deserved more from recent performances.

"I know that Glentoran have recently had a difficult run of results but if you actually look at the performances they've been good," said the Limavady man.

"I can understand that people get caught up in results, it puts points on the board, but if you look at the performances against Cliftonville and Larne, in particular, they deserved to win both games and took just one point.

"So, if I was a Glentoran supporter, I would still be optimistic because of some of their performances.

"It would be different if they are getting beaten and deserved to be beaten but they haven't deserved the points total that they've got over the past few games.

"Friday night will be a really difficult fixture," he added.

It's a second meeting of the teams this season, Declan Devine's men coming from behind to defeat Coleraine 2-1 at the Showgrounds thanks to two goals from Jordan Stewart.

Tonight's visitors will be targeting making a similar fast start in the capital but defending any advantage better than they did at Ballycastle Road.

"The first goal in games is always very important," conceded Higgins.

"We took the lead here against them (Glentoran) earlier in the season and lost the game so there's no guarantees either if you take the lead.

"But the message is always the same – in certain games you have to be more patient than others.

"Glentoran, at home, I'm sure will come out and have a right go. I think that's the only way they know and it should make for an open game.

"I'm not sure what the conditions will be like but, regardless, both teams have to deal with it. It's a game we're looking forward to and one we're excited about.

"We've good legs on the break and I think we can attack against teams that defend deeper. I think we can also counter attack against teams that come out against us.

"We just need to do the basics really well and I'm sure it'll be a really difficult encounter."

Victory over Glentoran would extend the gap to 14 points over the Glens, an added incentive, perhaps, to secure the win.

"It would be more daylight between us if we won but we just have to try and treat the game in isolation and try and win the fixture that's in front of us," continued the Coleraine head coach.

"We know the importance of all the games now. We've been in a busy period and we're coming into another busy period so there's a lot to be excited about.

"But, certainly, three points would be very important if we could pick them up."