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Gareth Fullerton

Glentoran boss Mick McDermott hints at quieter transfer window as he assesses squad

Mick McDermott insists he is "comfortable" with his current squad as he hinted at a quieter transfer window at the Oval.

Glentoran need a point from their final game against Cliftonville to guarantee third spot in the Irish Premiership this season.

Despite a mid-season rally which saw the club joint top at the end of January, the Glens faded during the business end of the campaign as hopes of a first Gibson Cup since 2009 swerved into the mire.

Read more: Linfield fan living in Kuwait travels 3,200 miles to watch title decider

They still have the European play-offs to concentrate on before their summer break, and McDermott accepts success or failure in those games will likely have an impact on the club's recruitment.

He told Glentoran's YouTube channel: "I don't know if we'll be as busy as we have been in terms of numbers. But like any football club players will come and some will go.

"But we know we have a talented squad here, no doubt about that That doesn't change considering results we have had the past six to eight weeks.

"We have to remember we lost Luke McCullough for the season. We lost Marcus Kane, Ciaran O'Connor and Shay McCartan around the same period.

"So we lost substantial quality around September time this season.

"Ciaran never recovered from that, Shay came back after a few months and Marcus struggled to get back, and Luke was out for the season.

"So they will all be back and some will be like new signings."

Glentoran will have a clearer picture on who they will meet in the Euro play-offs after Saturday's final round games, and depending on who wins this season's Irish Cup.

That decider will be played between Crusaders - who can still pip the Glens to third spot in the Premiership - and Ballymena United.

"Let's see how we finish the season, and if we're in or out of Europe that potentially changes our training programme and who we can potentially bring in," McDermott said.

"But we're still very comfortable with the squad we have and know we have one able to challenge for the title.

"We are disappointed, and I can't believe we're saying the words, that we need a point to secure third.

"Eight weeks ago after walking off the pitch against Newry, we were joint top and into the semi-finals of the Irish Cup.

"So it's unfortunate how the past eight six to eight weeks have went, for various reasons. And we will probably discuss those reasons one day when we watch the movie about and season, or read the book about the season.

"But it hasn't gone our way and we learn from that, and we will be back after these play-offs and raring to go for next season.

"No doubt about that."

Read more: Barry Johnston offers final-day conundrum for Linfield as he makes title prediction

Read more: Shayne Lavery, the 'constant menace' striving to be better at Blackpool

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