Form and forthright

Paddy McLaughlin says Cliftonville’s current focus is exactly the same as it was on the night he took his first training session at Solitude.

Ahead of tonight’s Danske Bank Premiership encounter with Linfield at Windsor Park, the Reds boss has again accentuated the importance of generating further late-season momentum after collecting the 22nd point of his 10 games at the helm in the weekend’s victory over Crusaders.

“I said from the start that it’s never been a case of fulfilling fixtures to see the season out and that we were here to work and do a job,” he explains.

“We wanted to win as many games as we could to finish as high up the table as possible and, with two matches left, none of that has changed. We have been building from week to week and we want that to continue.

“The big thing for us is the Play-Offs at the end of the season and it would obviously be much better going into them on the back of a good run, with a few victories behind us and confidence levels up.

“The players have done very well so far and they continue to work their socks off in every game. Linfield will be tough, there’s no doubt about that and they’ve been up at the top of the table all season for a reason. But we’re looking for form and momentum to drive us forward and will go into this game looking for three points just like any other.”

Supporters Information
This is an all-ticket fixture for Cliftonville supporters, with sales conducted from The Reds Shop (3-4pn) as well as outside Windsor Park ahead of kick-off.

Adults: £11
Concessions: £7