Hamilton lays down challenge as Glenavon prepare for Crues' visit
Lurgan Blues aim to bounce back after Irish Cup upset
Glenavon aim to put their shock Irish Cup exit behind them tonight when they return to important league business.
The Lurgan Blues take on Danske Bank Premiership leaders Crusaders at Mourneview Park (kick-off 7.45) – knowing that three points will push them nine points clear of Linfield in third place.
Boss Gary Hamilton has challenged his players to put in a performance after losing to Loughgall in the Irish Cup quarter finals.
Speaking on Glenavon’s website, he said the team needed to re-pay their supporters with a win.
“You always want to get a game as soon as possible to try and put the last game to bed,” he said.
“Sometimes if you wait for a week or 10 days before your next game it can linger with players a long time but football’s a wonderful game that you get an opportunity in the next couple of days to put right what you did wrong on Saturday with a good positive result.
“At the very least they all know that they owe it to the supporters who worked very, very hard for a long time on Friday night, early hours of Saturday morning and all Saturday morning to get the game playable, to put in a proper performance tomorrow night, to fight for every ball and show the energy and commitment that they’ve been showing over all the league games.
“We all know that Saturday wasn’t good enough and they’ve been told that, they’ve been told their levels weren’t anywhere near where they have been and the only people that can put it right now…”
In the only other local game of the night, Dungannon Swifts take on Ballymena United who are seeking a post-split sixth place finish.
That game starts at 8 o’clock.