Forward thinking

Barry Gray says Cliftonville will take a positive approach to this evening’s Danske Bank Premiership date with Coleraine.

The Reds – who commenced the new campaign with an entertaining 6-3 victory over Ards on Saturday – head to The Showgrounds to take on a Bannsiders outfit that were successful on their weekend travels, overcoming Dungannon Swifts 3-1.

Oran Kearney’s men have been one of the League’s form teams throughout 2017 but Gray maintains he will be sending his players out to win.

“Coleraine are a very good side, there’s no getting away from that, but the way I see it is we’re Cliftonville – we’ve got to go out and try to beat everyone,” he says.

“There’s no sense in us going into any match playing for a draw or being happy with a point, I don’t see that as being the Cliftonville way. We carry a threat going forward and we want that to be the basis of our play. We’re an attacking team and we set up to attack.

“Obviously we conceded a few goals at the weekend but we’ll work on that side of our game as we go along. I’ve been pleased with everything we’ve done throughout pre-season and in the first League match, so we want to continue in the same direction.”

Travel information
Cliftonville supporters are asked to approach The Showgrounds from the Ring Road and then proceed along Ballycastle Road. Coaches turn into Hillmans Way and enter the ground by way of the rear lane, while those that arrive by car can also enter through the blue gates on Ballycastle Road.

North Belfast Reds CSC’s bus will be departing Cassidy’s Bar at 6pm and anyone interested in reserving a seat can do so by emailing nbrcsc@hotmail.co.uk.