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Gareth Fullerton

Glentoran striker Robbie McDaid issues 'unstoppable force' warning to rivals

Robbie McDaid believes building momentum on and off the pitch is transforming Glentoran into an "unstoppable force" this season.

McDaid was on target on Friday night as the Glens came from behind to beat Crusaders 2-1 at Seaview.

Trailing to Josh Robinson's goal, Conor McMenamin fired home an equaliser after the break before McDaid headed home the winner to draw the East Belfast men level on points with Linfield at the top of the table.

It has been a big week for Mick McDermott's side, who also came from behind to beat Cliftonville on Monday night.

McDaid - who scored his fourth league goal of the season at Seaview - saluted the club's fans as they once again turned out in force in North Belfast.

And he believes the united approach will make Glentoran hard to beat this season.

"The support has been brilliant from the start of the season," McDaid told GlensTV.

"We are putting in performances on the pitch and starting to merit their support. They have been excellent with us all year, and when the club, the players and fans pull in the one direction it is an unstoppable force.

"So long may it continue."

Crusaders' Jude Winchester gets a red card for a challenge on Glentorans’s Joe Crowe (INPHO/Stephen Hamilton)

The Glens produced another stirring second-half comeback to wrestle the points from Crusaders.

Trailing at the break, McMenamin drew the sides level just three minutes after the restart, and then the Crues were reduced to 10 men when new signing Jude Winchester was sent off in the 55th minute.

The visitors made the extra man pay with McDaid finding the net 10 minutes later with a clinical header following a fluid move down the left wing.

"I thought it was an end-to-end game Probably good for the neutral but not so good to play in," the former Leeds United striker added.

"It was back and forth. There were tackles, a red card, goals. It had a bit of everything.

"We hadn't won here in 10 years until a couple of weeks ago so to get two on the trot is brilliant, and credit to the boys. I thought everyone worked their socks off and I thought we deserved it in the end.

"It was the same the other night (against Cliftonville). We came in at the break 1-0 down but we were well in the game and I thought we controlled it for large parts.

"The gaffer said at half-time that we needed to come out like a house on fire and thankfully we did. Mac got an excellent goal and we had them under pressure and I managed to come up with a goal.

"All the lads were excellent tonight."

McDaid - who comes out of contract this summer and has yet to commit his future to Glentoran - recently returned from an enforced break due to Covid.

And he admits it is good getting back on the goal trail. as the Glens look to clinch a first league title since 2009.

"You always enjoy the fruits of your labour when you work hard," he said.

"I missed the Boxing Day game and Larne game with Covid, so it was nice to get back in and get 90 minutes against Dergview and Cliftonville, and to get another 90 tonight and a goal is brilliant.

"I think I grew an extra lung during Covid but I am not complaining."

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