Carri on working

Paddy McLaughlin says Cliftonville are ready to roll again after putting the disappointment of last week’s North Belfast Derby defeat behind them.

The Reds commence a run of three consecutive away fixtures when they travel to take on Carrick Rangers in the Danske Bank Premiership tomorrow and, while the Manager is anticipating a rugged battle against Niall Currie’s newly-promoted outfit, he believes his players are ready and willing to roll their sleeves up.

“Carrick’s tails will be up after they got their first win of the season up at Institute last week, so they’ll be even more confident going into this one,” says McLaughlin.

“They’d played well in their first two games without any reward so they’ll have been relieved to have something to show for their hard work and, now that they’ve got it, there’s no doubt they’ll want more of it and they won’t have any fear about us coming down there.

“We’re disappointed at losing last week but we had a very tough run of fixtures to open the season ourselves and have one win, one draw and one defeat so far. What matters now is that we put the last game behind us and concentrate on this next one.

“Things are going to be made very tough for us down there, but this squad of players have a serious determination about them and they’re ready to do what’s needed.

“Anybody who knows this League will tell you that there are no easy games – and certainly not away to Carrick. We’ll not be underestimating them in any shape or form, we’ve prepared all week in training for a battle and that’s what we’re expecting to face.”