'I thought it was a joke' - Kane on use of VAR in final
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Glentoran captain Marcus Kane said that he initially thought the introduction of video assistant referee [VAR] for Sunday's BetMcLean Cup final against Linfield "was a joke".
The Glens will face rivals Linfield for the silverware in their first cup final against each other for 16 years.
The decider is also the first time that VAR will be used in domestic football in Northern Ireland.
"No, I didn't have a clue," Kane said when asked if he knew the decision had been made to introduce VAR for the final before the announcement.
"I still thought it was a joke and I thought it was AI [artificial intelligence]. Loads of things go through your head but you have a final to think about.
"For me, it feels like it has been sprung on everybody, not just Glentoran but Linfield [too]."
Despite the final being officiated by match officials from the Irish FA set-up, those in charge of VAR will be referees from outside of Northern Ireland and the Irish Premiership.
However, Kane added that thoughts are VAR will be put to the side when he takes to the pitch on Sunday.
"As a player, you have to try not think about it and get caught up and end up making a mistake if you're overthinking about the VAR," he continued.
"If you do overthink, you are second guessing yourself, so you just have to go out and play your game and not worry about what the officials are doing."
'Any chance to play your rivals is a fiery affair'
The Glens will be looking to secure the BetMcLean Cup for the eighth time but have not lifted the trophy since 2010, when they beat Coleraine in a penalty shootout.
They were last in the final last season, but lost against Cliftonville after Joe Gormley netted the winner in extra time.
"If everyone and Paul McLean [managing director of BetMcLean] was to choose a final at the start, they would have chosen Glentoran v Linfield," Kane continued.
"Any chance to play your rivals is a fiery affair. Last time I played in a cup final between the two was against Glentoran for Linfield which just shows how long ago it was.
"For the crowd and fans, it will be an amazing spectacle. For me, it is about bringing my aggression and style of play to the final and hopefully that rubs off in the boys and we get through together and we can win."
Glentoran assistant manager Tim McCann is no stranger to big finals and played for the Glens against Linfield in the 2001 Irish Cup decider.
The east Belfast side were the victors after scoring in extra time in front of a sell-out crowd.
Now, McCann hopes that his experiences as a player can help guide the side to another trophy after they lifted the County Antrim Shield last season.
"The Irish Cup final win was one of the greatest things I have ever experienced and I still sit down with my daughter and show her some of the highlights from it," McCann told BBC Sport NI.
"My advice would be to go out, give everything you have.
"Just go play your normal game and don't try do something you wouldn't normally do."
