Mixed Bag

Liam Bagnall has warned that anything less than a wholehearted display will cost Cliftonville dearly in tonight’s Europa League Play-Off Semi Final with Coleraine.

The Reds have enjoyed a marked improvement in performances and results since Paddy McLaughlin’s appointment as Manager, but ended their Danske Bank Premiership campaign with off-colour defeats to Linfield and Glenavon – which Bagnall insists they must eradicate ahead of this evening’s battle with the Bannsiders.

“There were a few big players not playing but we expected to do a lot better than we produced against Glenavon,” he admits.

“It was the same from the previous Tuesday against Linfield, almost like a carry-on performance and it won’t be good enough against Coleraine.

“We’re going to have to get that out of our system very quickly. We’ve had four or five sessions since and we’ve had to improve in our sharpness in front of goal so hopefully it shows against Coleraine.”

You can read the full Bagnall interview in tonight’s edition of our Matchday Magazine, which will be on sale at Solitude for £2.50.

Alongside your latest player poster, The Red Eye’s 26th issue of the campaign catches up with Assistant Manager Brian Donaghey on the 20th anniversary of Cliftonville’s 1999 Irish Cup Final heartache and steps 132, 62 and 15 years back down memory lane – plus plenty more besides.

Our Matchday Magazine has attained a top-three position in the NI Football Programme Collectors’ annual awards poll for the last seven seasons – assuming the runners-up position on six of those occasions – so, if you’re not a regular reader, why not take a look at what you’ve been missing out on?

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Admission
Tickets are not required for this fixture and spectators can pay cash at the turnstiles.

Adults: £11
Concessions: £7

Supporters are reminded that Members Tickets, Season Tickets and Family Tickets are NOT valid for this match.