ARMSTRONG: BIG MAC ISN'T A QUITTER.

Byline: DARREN FULLERTON

GERRY Armstrong has backed under-fire Glentoran boss Alan McDonald to turn things around at The Oval.

The former Northern Ireland striker also insists his former international team mate "isn't a quitter" and is capable of silencing the boo boys.

McDonald has opted to remain in charge at the Glens and ride out the storm of last Saturday's 6-0 Carling Premiership defeat to Coleraine.

"I do think we need a bit of perspective," said Armstrong. "Glentoran won the title six months ago and they are not out of this season's race.

"Alan is third in the league and there are 21 games remaining. There are 63 points are up for grabs, so it is too early to be panicking.

"Of course, it's very disappointing when you get beaten at home, and to lose 6-0 at The Oval will have hit Alan hard.

"I know Alan is the ultimate competitor and he will be hurting from the nature of last week's result. But he must rationalise things, step back from the rawness of events and look forward."

Armstrong believes the personal abuse and flak directed at McDonald following the Coleraine defeat is "symptomatic" of the modern game and a general rush to judgement by supporters.

"The fans are frustrated, but I think it's maybe symptomatic of the modern game that supporters now demand instant success," he said.

"It wasn't as bad in the 1970s or 80s.

There wasn't the kind of rush to judgement there is nowadays.

"It's probably driven by the Premiership where managers where managers come under instant pressure after a few bad results and if it happens in England it follows that the same applies even here in the Irish League.

"I would tell Alan to stick in there. He is not a quitter and I would back him to turn the corner. Fans jump to kneejerk conclusions, but managers shouldn't."

CAPTION(S):

STAYING Glens manager Alan McDonald