Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup quarter-final: Crusaders v Glentoran (Saturday, 3pm)
CRUSADERS manager Stephen Baxter believes the advancement of professionalism in the local game has added an “extra spice” to this year's Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup, as he looks ahead to Saturday afternoon’s mouthwatering quarter-final clash with big-spending Glentoran at Seaview.
“Without doubt the pedigree of football in the league has improved, be that with investment in players, facilities and coverage. We are now seeing players from across the water and further afield wanting to come to our league rather than the exodus of our best talent that we have seen in the past. Professionalism has brought chat of Crusaders and Linfield to offices and playgrounds on a Monday morning instead of just Manchester United and Liverpool, that can only be a good thing for our game," Baxter said.
One of the league’s recent glamour signings, Northern Ireland international Niall McGinn, could well play a part for Glentoran in Saturday's last eight tie.
However, Baxter is under no illusions that the threats from the Glens come from all over the pitch.
“Glentoran are an extremely well balanced side, with McGinn, either of the Donnellys, Shay McCartan who has played across the water, and they have a great depth in their squad with numerous threats and its up to us to outsmart them," he said.
Outsmarting sides, particularly in cup ties, is something the Crusaders boss has excelled at during his tenure at the north Belfast outfit. While only reaching one final as a player with Linfield - losing to Glenavon - last year’s thrilling extra-time cup final win over Ballymena United added a third Irish Cup trophy triumph to the manager’s collection at Seaview.
He sees this year’s defence as a driving force, pushing his side on: “Some people may see the cup as a distraction to a busy league schedule, but not us. Last year’s victory was hard earned and we’re not going to give our trophy away without a mammoth fight."
If any team is to accept the challenge laid down by Crusaders, Glentoran appear worthy opponents. Having overcome Portadown 3-0 in the previous round, the Glens are a side reinvented and reinvigorated under manager Rodney McAree, the east Belfast club losing only once in nine games, that defeat coming at the hands of Cliftonville at Solitude.
Glentoran, like so many others this season, have discovered that getting a result against either of North Belfast’s 'big two' on their home patch is proving increasingly difficult. Crusaders currently have the best home record in the league, losing only once, a surprise defeat to Ballymena. Will this give the home side the edge come kick-off? Baxter believes it will play a part.
“When the draw was made I wasn’t really thinking of who we got to be honest, I was hoping for home advantage. At home, I know and the players know we can beat anybody. A sell-out crowd, the buzz and all that goes with it, really is like the 12th man.”
So what is it that makes home advantage so important this year?
“Familiarity. I liken it to being in your own home, you know where everything is, the TV remote, your favourite cup, your favourite pillow, everything is familiar and with that familiarity comes a calmness and a confidence to express yourself, that has been the key for us this year.”
There has been little to choose between the sides this season so far, with home advantage ruling the roost. Last time out the Glens won 2-0 at the Oval in January, while back in December it was the Shore Road side who took the spoils on home turf in a thrilling encounter winning 3-2, thanks to a Chris Hegarty double.
With four of the potential title challengers still involved in the last eight of the cup, Baxter knows the business end of the season is approaching.
“There are no easy games left, people can see the carrot of European football for the winners of the league and the cup and we will give it our all on both fronts. The players will be up for this one, we have been preparing hard all week as have Glentoran no doubt. You get no second chances in cup football, its all about who wants it more on the day and I don’t think we’ll be found wanting in that regard.”
