Naomi McLaughlin believes Glentoran Women are in the right place as they prepare for a pivotal Sports Direct Women’s Premiership clash with Cliftonville Ladies on Monday evening.
The Reds currently sit top of the table following the latest round of fixtures after Brendan Lynch’s side hit nine unanswered goals in the north-Belfast derby against Crusaders Strikers.
It was a much tighter contest for the Glens at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, where Faye Loughran’s second-half strike secured all three points against Derry City Women as they returned to league action after playing in the Women’s Champions League.
McLaughlin feels the performance has left Kim Turner’s side well prepared for the challenge of facing her former club a month after losing to the Reds in the Women’s League Cup final.
“I’ve only been here for the last couple of weeks, but there’s a real sense of anticipation around the place,” said McLaughlin, who joined the Glens from Scottish Women’s Premier League side Aberdeen.
“Those couple of defeats obviously made headlines, but if you look at our performances and results since then, you can see we’re getting back to the level we want to be at.
“That’s important because we’re coming into a very key stage of the season, and they don’t come much bigger than Cliftonville.
“They’re currently top of the league, but we know that a win at Solitude on Monday night would move us above them.
“That’s obviously a big incentive for us, with the recent defeat in the cup final providing another, but ultimately it’s about winning games, as it always is here.
“We want to win as many matches as we possibly can and Glentoran is a club that consistently challenges for honours. That’s exactly the sort of environment I wanted to be part of.
“It was one of the main reasons I wanted to come here. I want to be at a club that will help my development, but is also challenging for trophies and playing in Europe regularly.
“You only achieve those things by producing on the pitch and we have a squad here that’s absolutely packed with quality.
“There’s also a real drive to succeed here and it’s up to us as players to make sure we deliver.
“We’re relishing the challenge of facing Cliftonville. We know how important this fixture has been in recent seasons and now it’s up to us to make the most of the opportunity.”
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder spent two years at Solitude after joining Cliftonville from Sion Swifts in January 2024.
During her time with the Reds, McLaughlin played her part in a domestic treble-winning campaign, which included an unbeaten Sports Direct Women’s Premiership title, before helping the club retain the Irish Cup the following season.
She established herself as one of the brightest young talents in the league before making the move to Aberdeen in January this year and now, she is determined to make her mark with the Glens.
“I really enjoyed my time at Aberdeen and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” she said.
“I felt I did well there, scoring twice in 10 Scottish Women’s Premier League appearances, but when the opportunity came to return home and join Glentoran I felt it was one I couldn’t afford to turn down.
“When you come here, you immediately get a sense of the size of the club and the players are given every tool we need to succeed.
“Making my debut in the Women’s Champions League qualifiers was a special moment, but I want to make sure there are plenty more special moments to come this season and beyond.
“That starts with Cliftonville on Monday night because it’s a game that could prove pivotal in the title race.”
