Glentoran assistant manager Paddy McCourt believes it will be "difficult" for the club to mount a title challenge but it is their "aim" for the coming season.

The Oval club finished fifth in the Irish Premiership last season, some 30 points behind champions Larne.

McCourt joined Glentoran in June after leaving his role as technical director at Derry City earlier this year.

"We’re fully aware of what the demands will be and we want to put a team and squad together that will identify with the fans," McCourt told BBC Sport NI.

"The demand for success is always there when you are at a big club.

"When you look at where they finished the season last year, is it realistic to close that gap with one transfer window with a transition?

"It’s going to be difficult but you have to try and aim to do it."

It has been a summer of transition at Glentoran with over 14 senior players departing the east Belfast club.

Manager Declan Devine, whom McCourt worked with at Derry City, took over in interim charge in March before being appointed as permanent manager in April.

"He’s seen the good times at the Oval," McCourt said of his manager.

"He knows the demands from the fans, and he’s not been short at letting me know that too."

Glentoran open their season on Friday with Crusaders coming to east Belfast, live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

"A lot of teams have spent money and really strengthened so the competitiveness is going to be there.

"The bottom six of last year and the top six of last year – I wouldn’t be surprised if that changes this year with the recruitment some teams have done."

"A lot of full-time clubs that have full-time players on good money so the league’s improving all the time. The standard of coach, the standard of player is improving and hopefully long may that continue.

"If the crowds keep coming to games, and allow that financial backing for each club then it’ll definitely flourish."