For myself it is always nice to score goals

Last updated : 29 July 2008 By Tony Scholes
Having already played in America, Scotland and last Saturday in England when we visited Accrington Stanley, we stepped out in Northern Ireland for the first time in eleven years in front of an enthusiastic Glentoran crowd.

"There was a bit of travelling involved but for the purpose of the match celebrating both clubs 125th anniversaries it was very nice and it proved to be a fitting occasion for Jimmy McIlroy and Billy Bingham," he said after the game.

"I'm delighted that the strikers have been amongst the goals because that is important. For myself it is always nice to score goals, but because of injuries we had the only reason I was on the bench was in case we got any knocks. We were trying to be as professional as we possibly could, ensuring we finished with the proper amount of players on the park and that was the reason for it.

"It was nice to run about for the last twenty minutes and I loved every minute of it. I may not be as mobile as I used to be but I am still enthusiastic. Overall we're pleased with the end product and it was a good exercise for the lads who needed ninety minutes under their belt."

There was a new face in the side in Aleksandrs Solovjovs. "He was due to join up with us last week but he had a bad chest infection and that was the reason for him only playing an hour. He acquitted himself well, putting the all in for the first goal, but he is not fully fit so we will have another look at him against Bradford and take it from there."

Commenting on the trip to Belfast Coyle said: "I think the lads enjoyed the trip, the hospitality has been first class and I think the players have been a credit to the football club. The supporters turned out in their numbers again which was great.

"We are putting down roots in Northern Ireland as well and you never know where maybe a few young players will come from. I feel as manager of the football club that I have an obligation to make sure the club runs well for years to come.

"We want to have a conveyor belt of talent coming through and I hope the supporters can identify with their own young players and take the club on for years to come."