Marcus Kane is hoping Glentoran's slight dip in form in the last two games will have a positive impact on them heading to Seaview this afternoon.
The Glens will slug it out with Crusaders in the semi-finals of the Irish Cup in what is set to be a mouthwatering contest.
The Ovalmen though are coming into the tie in the midst of a sticky patch having lost to Cliftonville last Saturday before drawing with ten-man Glenavon during the week.
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Skipper Kane, who missed the goalless draw with the Lurgan Blues due to suspension, is adamant they they will be out to turn things around against the Crues and progress to the last four.
“We know the last few games haven’t been good enough and hopefully it will have a positive impact on us going to Seaview," he said.
"I don’t think the performance in the first half was good enough against Cliftonville but the second 45 minutes were much better.
“I think if we’d have scored in the first half against Glenavon I think it could have been a completely different result, but that’s football and sometimes you have to win them in the last minute or so.
“We didn’t have the savvy to do that on Tuesday but it doesn’t mean we won’t find it against Crusaders - and it doesn’t matter when it comes as long as we win.
“Even if the result had been better on Tuesday, this would have been a big game and we’ll be giving our all.
“We know we have to get the ball rolling again and that means we have to put everything into this game.
“Crusaders are always good at Seaview, but last season we went there twice and beat them twice."
As well as securing some silverware Kane knows securing European football with an Irish Cup win is just as big a prize.
“We look to qualify for Europe every year, there’ll never be a year we don’t strive for that," he said.
“The last few years it’s been a minimum and it’s expected at the club now.
“The Irish Cup is one route to Europe and if you win it, you’re in.
“There is a lot of pride with the Irish Cup. It’s the big day at end of the season and as a fan you feel a part of it.
“I’ve won the Irish Cup three times, so it’s a good trophy to win.
“The league campaign is special but the Irish Cup is about the big, special day. It’s the pinnacle of the end of the season and everyone knows how special it is."
Elsewhere in the Irish Cup on Saturday afternoon Ballyclare Comrades entertain Ballymena United and Dungannon Swifts travel to Cliftonville.
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