Glentoran have announced the appointment of Rodney McAree as their new manager on an 18-month contract.

McAree will take over the role from Mick McDermott, who steps down after spending almost four years in the position during which time he guided the club to Irish Cup success in July 2020.

However a run of five successive league defeats saw the east Belfast outfit slip from top spot in November to sixth place going into this weekend's games.

A statement on the official Glentoran website read: "Majority shareholder Ali Pour and GFC Board of Directors are pleased to announce Rodney McAree as our new Manager with an 18-month contract.

"Rodney has been with the Club for one-and-a-half seasons as 1st Team Coach and has shown his abilities and qualities during that period.

"Rodney has vast experience of the Irish League and has held managerial positions at both Dungannon Swifts FC and Coleraine FC. Rodney is a UEFA Pro License holder."

Welcoming the move, McAree said: "I am delighted and excited to be given the opportunity to manage this great football club.

"This possibility had been discussed when I joined the Club. I did not expect it to happen so soon but I feel ready and hungry to get started to strive towards the success that everyone associated with Glentoran Football Club deserves.

"We have a hugely talented squad and now we all need to work together to get back to winning ways to achieve success in the future."

McAree will take charge of the team for the first time on Friday evening (20th January) away to Newry City, kick-off 7:45pm.