Devine 'over the moon' with Big Two derby win
Linfield had not been beaten at home on Boxing Day since 1984 coming into the game
- Published
Glentoran manager Declan Devine said his side "really deserved" to win their first ever Boxing Day 'Big Two' derby at Windsor Park.
Joe Thomson secured the bragging rights for the east Belfast side with a stylish strike on 29 minutes.
The Glens have now won back-to-back league games after previously going five games without a win.
"I am over the moon. I am delighted for our players who make big sacrifices, as all players do over Christmas and I am delighted for their families," Devine told BBC Sport NI.
"I am delighted for our owner because he is a brilliant man to work for, but the most important thing is to send an incredible away support away home happy so they can enjoy their Christmas.
"Even with a tough few weeks, they have stayed behind the team and when I first came to the club unity was key and everyone leaves the building happy.
"It was a really important win, but also one we really deserved."
Thomson broke the deadlock after he was gifted time in the middle of the pitch to stride forward before he found the top corner with a fine finish.
The goal is the midfielder's first of the season, with Devine adding the shot was "simply sensational."
"Thomson has been stop-start since he joined, but we brought him here to score goals and what an absolute goal," Devine continued.
"Our build-up play up to the goal from one side to the other side of the pitch, the lay off and the strike were simply sensational.
"We asked them today to make someone a hero, to go out there and potentially get the winner. To be fair to Joe, he deserved every credit he gets today."
