Ive and kicking again

Levi Ives says victory in front of Cliftonville’s supporters tonight will be crucial for end-of-term momentum ahead of next month’s European Play-Offs.

Having been excluded from all three North Belfast Derby fixtures so far this season, Reds fans are set to return for this evening’s clash with Crusaders following five months of behind-closed-doors action and the significance of the occasion is not lost on Ives, who has himself been uninvolved for the vast majority of an injury-ravaged campaign.

“We just have to keep going in the next two League games,” says the 23-year-old, who made a welcome comeback in the recent Danske Bank Premiership defeat of Glentoran at The Oval.

“We’ve got to win those games as well and build that bit of momentum going into the Play-Offs.”

On his own return to the side after hobbling off in October’s reverse against the Crues in the season’s first first derby dust-up back in October, Ives adds: “I’m ahead of schedule and I pushed myself through rehab.

“I just kept going and decided to join training and I felt alright, so hopefully I’ll come through he rest of the season unscathed.”

You can read the full Ives interview in tonight’s digital edition of The Red Eye, which will be available here on cliftonvillefc.net ahead of kick-off.

Featuring pre-match views from the Manager’s Office, our Matchday Magazine’s 24th issue of the campaign carries all the stats behind the Reds’ recent form and a look at the Crues’ Play-Off debut – plus plenty more besides.

Cliftonville v Crusaders
Tickets: Available to Club Card holders here
Live stream: Buy here

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