Glentoran manager Declan Devine has declared he "needs to put silverware in the cabinet this year" after failing to win a trophy last season. His side lost the Irish Cup and County Antrim Shield at quarter-final stages and finished third in the Irish Premiership. Devine ended a five-year wait for silverware by winning the County Antrim Shield in 2025 during his first full season in charge.

"We licked our wounds and spoke openly and honestly about where we came up short [last season] and this year. I am not shying away from it, I need to put silverware in the cabinet this year," Devine told BBC Sport NI. He emphasized that "the expectation at this football club is to be competing on a regular basis for silverware."

The Belfast rivals face each other on Saturday at Windsor Park in what Devine called "the two most historic clubs in the country, extreme rivalry and absolute hatred for one another." Despite both clubs having quiet transfer windows and exiting European qualifiers early, Devine stressed that "form goes out the window" in derbies, adding that "it is all about who will go that extra yard."

He acknowledged Linfield's threat, noting their "front two alone are two of the best strikers in country" but asserted his squad can compete when fit.