Colin Nixon has hailed a brand new degree of professionalism at Glentoran and he’s assured the east Belfast facet is on the trail to extra success.
The membership’s file look holder is now Technical Director of the Glens Academy, serving to to nuture the following generaton of expertise.
Nixon, who clocked up an unbelievable 794 first staff outings, can see brighter days forward beneath proprietor Ali Pour and supervisor Mick McDermott.
Glentoran have actually made a powerful begin to the season and sit second within the Premeirship desk, solely a degree behind Larne and with a sport in hand.
If they will beat Linfield at Windsor Park tomorrow evening, they may transfer 9 factors forward of the champions — a wholesome hole at any stage of the title race.
And an added bonus for former full-back Nixon is that the Glens defence is wanting strong with only one objective conceded in seven league matches.
“Aidan (Wilson) and Paddy (McClean) have been sensible, the defence and the goalkeepers have been immense,” mentioned Nixon, who bagged 25 winners medals, together with 4 league titles and 6 Irish Cups.
“The defenders have been chipping in with objectives in addition to being strong and The Oval seems to be like a fortress once more. Issues are moving into the precise route however there’s a protracted solution to go but.
“For a membership the scale of Glentoran, it has been a protracted look forward to the title however Mick has revolutionised the membership and it’s undoubtedly moving into the precise route, hopefully we are able to get a title win as quickly as doable.”
Given his ardour for the sport and Glentoran, Nixon is relishing the duty of guiding younger gamers.
“I like the position and it’s nice to be again, the membership is transferring in one of the best route,” he defined.
"It’s a special degree of professionalism and so they have large plans transferring ahead beneath the proprietor.
“Mick and Windy(Paul Millar) are transferring the membership ahead and I’m excited to be concerned.
“We've got loads of younger gamers coming by and taking part in for Northern Eire and the membership, so we're very pleased with it.
“The children depart me and go into the scholarship programme and we are attempting to push them on to turn out to be higher gamers and hopefully attain the primary staff.
“Whereas it’s encouraging to see lads get throughout the water, my main position is to get them prepared for the Irish League and Glentoran first staff. There's full-time soccer right here for them, they don’t must go anyplace else however we're delighted to see gamers fulfil their potential and that begins with them banging on the door of the primary staff.”
A formidable begin to the marketing campaign has mirrored a starvation to kick on after final season’s disappointment however Nixon insists everybody on the BetMcLean Oval will stay grounded.
“They've had a very robust begin and it’s nice to see however no-one is getting carried away on the membership,” mentioned Nixon who, with 26 outings, holds the membership file for European appearances.
“There's a variety of laborious work forward of us and we're all very grounded. We all know how troublesome it's to win a league championship however we're very enthusiastic about our begin.
“Every part may be very constructive and I feel the Massive Two sport is a much bigger one for Linfield than ourselves for the time being due to the place they discover themselves.
“We'll go there and provides one of the best account of ourselves and if the staff performs effectively, they are going to be very laborious to cease.
“You don’t wish to be taking part in catch up and falling too far behind, I’m certain David Healy could have them able to go. It gained’t be a sport that defines the season however it could assist us construct on our robust begin.
“A win would psychologically be a giant enhance for us however you simply must maintain plugging away.
“The temper is constructive and I do know the followers will anticipate a league title however there’s a protracted solution to go but.”