Glenavon begins its 2023-24 Sports Direct Irish Premiership campaign against Glentoran at Mourneview Park on Saturday. Gary Hamilton is looking forward to the resumption of competitive football but is under no illusions about the size of the challenge facing his players.

“It will be a difficult game,” he said. “Glentoran is a full–time side with an abundance of talent all over the pitch. In fact, they could probably field two very strong teams. But we won’t approach it in a negative way. Last season we took seven points out of nine against them. If we are absolutely on it, give our very best and they are below par, we can get a result. It would be real confidence boost if we were to get off to a good start.”