Ryan Cooney loving life at table-topping Glentoran as they prepare for Cliftonville test
Ryan Cooney has settled into life in the Irish League with consummate ease helping Glentoran maintain their impressive start to the new campaign.
The 25-year-old full-back arrived from Crewe Alexandra in the summer and has played a key role as the Glens continue to ride high at the top of the Irish Premiership.
As well as contributing a goal and an assist Cooney has also helped rack up five clean sheets in nine games and he puts it all down to enjoying his surroundings.
“I’ve loved every minute since joining Glentoran and I’m really enjoying my football here,”said Cooney.
“From the first day I walked through the door the lads have been brilliant, the staff have been so professional and the supporters have been outstanding in the way they’ve welcomed me. That makes a huge difference when you’re settling into a new club.
“There’s a fantastic camaraderie in this group. We know how to have a laugh together off the pitch, but when it comes to training and matches everyone is switched on and prepared to work.
“That balance between enjoyment and professionalism is something special and it really shines through on the pitch.
“Declan and Paddy set the standards every single day. Their professionalism, the intensity of training and the attention to detail in everything they do drives the players forward. Their ambition rubs off on the squad and it makes you want to push yourself and deliver for them, for your teammates and for the supporters.
“The league is strong and every game has been a real test, but that’s exactly what I wanted when I came here. I’ve faced tough opposition already and that will only continue, but that’s what helps you improve as a player.
“I missed the start of pre-season and had a couple of niggles as well as the broken nose, so I still feel there’s more to come from me.”
Glentoran face a trip across the city this evening to take on a Cliftonville side who have lost on their last two outings but Cooney is wary of the threat they pose.
“I’ve never played at Solitude, but I’ve been told what a tough place it is to go, so I know how big a challenge Friday will be,” he said.
“Cliftonville are a strong side with quality all over the pitch and they always play with real intensity. We’ll need to be switched on from the first whistle, stay disciplined in our shape and make sure we impose our own game on the match.
“We’ve made a really positive start to the season, but no one is getting carried away. The manager and coaching staff have been clear it won’t mean anything unless we maintain it.
“There’s still a long way to go and a lot of football to be played across all competitions, so our job is to stay focused and keep our standards as high as possible every single week.”
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