Niall McGinn has welcomed his old friend Kyle Lafferty to the Irish League and insists he is all too aware of the quality his international teammate possesses .
The pair have been mainstays of the Northern Ireland set-up for the past 15 years but go head-to-head tonight as Glentoran welcome Linfield to the Oval.
Lafferty followed McGinn to the Irish Premiership as a big-name recruit from Scotland.
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And while the former Dungannon Swifts man has made an immediate impact with his new club, McGinn knows the Glens will have to be on it to keep out the new Blues signing this evening.
"I spoke to Kyle and congratulated him on the move," he said.
"It's obviously good for the league to have the likes of myself, Conor McMenamin, a current NI international, and big Laffs as well.
"He'll be looking to come here, do well and score goals between now and the end of the season.
"We know his capabilities but we'll be trying to keep him quiet on Tuesday night.
"I'm looking forward to the game. I was there watching on Boxing Day and the atmosphere was great so I'm looking forward to playing in it."
After a frustrating end to his spell with Dundee McGinn is back "playing with a smile" again with five goals in his six Glentoran appearances to date.
"It's all about getting back playing and playing with a smile on my face," he said.
"That was my first 90 minutes (against Coleraine) which was pleasing so it's just been about working on my match fitness.
"Thankfully I've settled in quite quickly and scored a few goals which is always pleasing when you come to a new club.
"I'm delighted but more importantly the team's doing well."
An unbeaten run under new boss Rodney McAree has helped keep the Glens in the title mix, but McGinn says their only focus is on the next game.
"It's just about us concentrating on ourselves, we can't look too far ahead," he said.
"We've obviously got a few games in hand. If we're picking up points in those games the games in hand will take care of themselves.
"It's an important week for us. If we get the three points on Tuesday night then coming to Coleraine and getting a point is probably a good result for us."
McGinn was delighted to see Conor McMenamin announce his return to fitness again with his spectacular strike at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
"Once the shot left Conor's foot you knew it was going in the top corner," he said.
"He's coming back at a nice time with the big games coming up and none more so than Linfield on Tuesday night."
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