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Steven Crawford

Rodney McAree offers honest title assessment as he awaits news on Niall McGinn

Rodney McAree has given an honest assessment of Glentoran's title hopes as he waits for some positive news on Niall McGinn's injury.

The Glens boss was left frustrated as his side were held to a goalless draw to ten-man Glenavon on Tuesday night as they had hoped to bounce back from their defeat to Cliftonville at the weekend.

Their mood was not improved after McGinn was forced off early in the first half at The Oval.

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Missed chances proved costly for the Ovalmen and McAree conceded after the game it was going to be "very, very difficult" for his side to overhaul league leaders Larne, who now sit 16 points ahead of them.

"I think it's going to be very, very difficult," he said.

"I look at the position Larne is in and I think it's going to be very difficult for anyone to catch them.

"All we can do is concentrate on our next league match whenever it comes around and try to get back on track with another three points.

"We have to pick up as many points as we can.

"We have 10 games left and we have a great opportunity to go and pick up as many points as we can out of those games.

"It was frustrating (against Glenavon), on another night you maybe come in two or three up at half time.

"You have to take your chances when you get them.

"We had a few half chances in the second half, a few things ricocheted around their box, on another day they end up in the back of the net.

"Unfortunately tonight we huffed and puffed and just didn't show the desire and determination to actually go and win the game, which is the most frustrating thing.

"If we want to achieve anything at this club we have to show a bigger hunger and desire to win a game of football than what we did tonight."

The Glens head to Seaview on Saturday to face Crusaders in the Irish Cup quarter-finals with McAree unsure if Northern Ireland international McGinn will feature.

"Niall's calf tightened a little so it was a case of get him off," said the Glens boss.

"He felt if he continued it was going to get worse. We'll assess it and try and get it turned around as quickly as we can."

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