Larne vs Glentoran: Champions are 'benchmark' for others to chase says Declan Devine
Declan Devine has described Larne as the "benchmark" in Irish League football, and says any team that finishes above Tiernan Lynch's side this season will be crowned champions.
The Invermen have endured a slow start to their title defence, winning just one of their opening four league games to sit 10th in the table.
There have been some suggestions that Lynch's players are still trying to shake off a European hangover following their exploits in the UEFA Conference League, while their delayed start to the Premiership has left them playing catch-up.
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Devine isn't reading too much into the current gap in the table, or games in hand, as he prepares to take his Glentoran to Inver Park on Friday night.
"Don't get caught up with the amount of games they will have to play and all the rest, when it gets down to the nitty-gritty, with the squad that they have, if you finish above Larne you'll certainly have an opportunity of success," he said.
"I think Larne have acquitted themselves really well, I've watched all their games in Europe and they have so many quality players.
"I thought they were outstanding, the way they set up and the way they went about attacking teams, they were very, very good. Larne are double champions for a reason, they've won the last two league titles for a reason. We're going into their back yard, it's going to be such a tough game.
"Tiernan, his players and his club are the benchmark for Northern Irish football at the minute. We look forward to going toe to toe with them but we also know we are going to have to work to extremely high levels to get something from the game."
Devine says there are several attributes that make Larne a formidable force, including their robust recruitment which saw the arrival of in-demand striker Benji Magee from Loughgall this summer.
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"I think the bottom line is they have a good manager, they have good structures at the club, good recruitment – they've good Irish League players and they strengthened by adding to that," Devine said.
"The way they run their club is something you have to give them credit for, on and off the pitch. They're outstanding in terms of the style of play that they want to play with, and when you look at the quality they have upfront you know you have to be at your best to keep those top players quiet.
"I think Larne have a good business model. They have top people in terms of structure and running the club and they deserve huge credit for that because they built those structures over a long period of time, not just over the last year or two."
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