This evening both Glentoran and Coleraine will try to maintain the upward trend Irish clubs so badly need in UEFA’s co-efficient rankings.
Due to poor performances in Europe’s club competitions up until 2018/19, Northern Ireland fell to a lowest-ever 52nd place, above only Kosovo, Andorra and San Marino in UEFA rankings, in the process losing one of four coveted European spots.
Better results last season including wins for Linfield, Crusaders, Ballymena United and Cliftonville, have propelled the province’s clubs back up to 48th and the restoration of the fourth Euro spot for next season. Successes for this evening’s local clubs in addition to some earlier progress through Linfield’s Champions League participation would further consolidate that push forward.