Paul Millar is confident Irish Cup holders Glentoran will be battle hardened for Tuesday’s quarter-final with Crusaders having played ‘seven cup finals’ in recent weeks.
The Ovalmen, who beat Ballymena United in last year’s final, are unbeaten in 13 outings in all competitions, including their last seven against an array of other big-hitters in the league.
Saturday’s 1-0 cup win over Cliftonville followed hot on the heels of a recent league win over the Reds, three draws with Coleraine, a scoreless draw with Linfield and a 3-2 win over Larne.
“All of our recent games have been like cup finals,” said Glens assistant boss Millar, who lifted the Irish Cup as a teenager with the East Belfast club in 1986.
“In our last seven games, in the league and cup, we’ve played Coleraine three times, Cliftonville twice, Larne and we’ve also had a derby with Linfield.
“We now have Crusaders in the last-eight of the Irish Cup, so it has been a really tough schedule in strange and difficult times.
“There’s no respite, but we have a lot to play for and we know we are three wins away from retaining the Irish Cup which is a big incentive.
“Having played Cliftonville on Saturday and now the Crues three days later, if we want to win the cup later this month, it looks as if we’re going to have to do it the hard way.
“Crusaders could say the same thing, having played Coleraine in the first round, but the trophy is still upstairs (in the Glentoran boardroom) and we want to keep it there.”
Tuesday night’s tie is being streamed live by BBC Northern Ireland, while the semi-final draw is expected to be held after the completion of all four quarter-finals.
