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Gareth Fullerton

Glentoran owner Ali Pour ready for "the big one" as he admits to match nerves

Glentoran owner Ali Pour admits he is "excited and nervous" heading into Friday night's title showdown with Larne - but insists he is also "very confident" Mick McDermott's side can get a result.

The clash at the BetMcLean Oval sees the top two in the Premiership do battle in East Belfast.

Larne currently hold a one-point lead over the Glens having played a game more.

Read more: Dundela pay classy tribute to outgoing boss Niall Currie

And while Friday night's showdown won't decide the destination of the Gibson Cup, victory for either side would lay down a significant marker.

Pour recently visited Belfast for Glentoran's 140th anniversary celebrations. During his time here he watched Mick McDermott's side hammer Carrick Rangers 5-0.

Since then they have enjoyed back-to-back wins, beating Big Two rivals Linfield 3-0 before last week's 1-0 success over Newry City.

And now Pour is gearing up for "the big one" against Larne.

"It really was great being in Belfast. I spent two nights there, and I haven't spent that much time in Belfast before," he told Belfast Live.

"And it was a great result against Carrick Rangers when we won 5-0.

"We have had two good wins since then and it all builds into Friday night's game against Larne which is the big one, isn't it?

"If we win that we will obviously go top with a game in hand, so there is a big incentive there. I am really excited and nervous, but I am also very confident."

Pour took over ownership of Glentoran in 2019 and has already invested over £1m in the Oval club.

During his time on Mersey Street he has helped wipe the club's debt and given McDermott the support to build a squad capable of winning a first title since 2009.

Kenny Bruce has made a similar impact at Inver Park, with the multi-millionaire businessman's major investment transforming Larne's fortunes on the off the pitch.

Pour admits both clubs are on similar trajectories, and both hold the same ambition of winning the Gibson Cup.

"Larne and Glentoran have been on similar journeys over recent years. It is strange how these things work," Pour added.

"Larne's team really isn't that different to last season's side. They have had a few changes here and there but there has been huge improvement.

"And we have been building and improving over the past couple of years.

"Or maybe it is because Linfield haven't been doing as well as they normally would. Maybe that's what it is this season.

"Maybe that has changed the whole dynamic. It is hard to tell."

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