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Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Mick McDermott responds to criticism of 'big spending' Glentoran

Mick McDermott insists he has "no problems spending money" if it makes Glentoran a successful club.

The East Belfast club has invested significantly since McDermott's arrival in 2019 alongside new owner Ali Pour.

The club has flexed its muscle in recent transfer windows, notably the £100,000 signing of forward Shay McCartan from Ballymena United last summer.

The injection of cash at the Oval has sparked plenty of debate, and sometimes criticism, of Glentoran's lucrative pursuit of major silverware.

But McDermott insists any money pumped into the club and new players is an investment.

He told the BBC : "No, no, I have no problems spending money.

"You need to invest. If you need a nice house you go and get it. If you want to have quality players, that's how the world works. You have to invest in them.

"And that's what they are. They are investments in our future and investments in our club. And if you like the look of someone, you have to go and get them.

"We couldn't afford to sit back on a five or six-year plan and wait for players to become available. The expectation at Glentoran is be successful immediately and you have to invest to get players.

"We are happy doing that."

Glentoran sit second in the Premiership with just 12 games remaining, locked on the same points as leaders Linfield who they meet on Friday night.

Expcectation levels are rising on Mersey Street, but McDermott insists there is no title talk within the four walls of his side's changing room.

"There's no title talk ever in here," he said.

"It's about the next one, and three points. It was disappointing not get the three points the other night, so we just move onto the next one.

"If the scoreboard says us at the end of the year we will be happy with that."

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