by Glentoran assistant manager Paddy McCourt believes it will be “difficult” for the club to mount a title challenge but that is their “target” for the coming season.
The Oval club finished fifth in the Irish Premiership last season, around 30 points behind champions Larne.
McCourt joined Glentoran in June after leaving his role as technical director at Derry City earlier this year.
“We are fully aware of what the demands will be and we want to build a team and a squad that the fans will identify with,” McCourt told BBC Sport NI.
“The demand for success is always present when you play in a big club.
“When you look at where they finished the season last year, is it realistic to close that gap in one transfer window with a transition?
“It will be difficult, but we must try and have the goal of achieving it.”
It has been a summer of transition at Glentoran with over 14 senior players leaving the east Belfast club.
Manager Declan Devine, who McCourt worked with at Derry City, took over on an interim basis in March before being appointed permanent manager in April.
“He’s seen the good times at the Oval,” McCourt said of his manager.
“He knows the demands of the fans and he didn’t fail to let me know that as well.”
Glentoran open their season on Friday when they take on the Crusaders in east Belfast, live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
“A lot of teams have spent money and really strengthened themselves, so the competitiveness is going to be there.
“The bottom six from last year and the top six from last year – I wouldn’t be surprised if that changes this year with the recruiting that some teams have done.”
“A lot of full-time clubs have full-time players who earn a lot of money, so the league is improving all the time. The level of the coaches, the level of the players is improving and I hope that continues for a long time.
“If the crowds continue to come to the games and allow that financial support for each club, then it will certainly flourish.”
