Charlie Lindsay has demanded a response from Glentoran after admitting Wednesday night's 3-3 draw with Glenavon "wasn't good enough". They trailed 2-0 before scoring three unanswered goals to take the lead, but a 75th-minute leveller from Paul McGovern earned the Lurgan Blues a spirited point at the Oval.
The East Belfast men have won just one of their last six games across all competitions, including Sunday's defeat in the BetMcLean Cup final and a shock 3-1 loss to Bangor in the Irish Cup.
Wednesday's draw leaves second-placed Glentoran just three points ahead of champions Larne as the race for European qualification gathers pace.
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The Glens have three more games before the split, starting with Saturday's trip to Carrick Rangers.
Lindsay believes there may have been a "bit of a hangover" following last Sunday's BetMcLean Cup final defeat to Cliftonville, but insists there is no room for error as the Premiership season approaches the business end of proceedings.
Lindsay said: "The first half on Wednesday night simply wasn’t good enough - there’s no excuse for it. Maybe there was a bit of a hangover from the cup final, but Declan and the coaching staff warned us not to let that happen.
"We responded well after the break and showed real character to fight back from 2-0 down. But when you put yourself in a winning position, you have to see the game out.
"Every point is crucial now. We’ve got three games before the split and we need to get back to winning ways and build momentum.
"That has to start on Saturday at Carrick. It’s always a tough place to go, but we have to play with confidence, aggression and quality to make sure we get the result we need."
A lifelong Glentoran fan, Lindsay made his name at the Oval club's Academy before securing a big move to Rangers when he was just 16 years of age. He returned to the Oval on loan last season before making the move permanent in the summer.
The 21-year-old midfielder has scored five goals in 23 appearances this season, and says donning the Glentoran jersey "means everything to me."
He added: "Glentoran has been in my blood since I was a kid. Playing for this club means everything to me.
"My family are lifelong supporters and I want to do everything I can to help get this club back to where it belongs. Of course, I want to be starting every game, but I also recognise that I’m still developing and adapting to senior football after playing at academy and U21 level in Scotland and England.
“I know I have to keep pushing myself, working hard every day and proving to Declan that I deserve a regular place in the team. I’m learning so much from Declan, Paddy and Tim, and Paddy has been particularly influential in helping me develop my attacking play.
“It’s also been special to be back on the pitch alongside Aaron and Jonny after coming through the Academy together. If we can bring success back to this club, it would be a huge testament to the Academy and the pathway it provides for young players."
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