Wheel give it everything: Paddy

Paddy McLaughlin has encouraged his players to “keep the wheels turning in the right direction” when they take on Dungannon Swifts tomorrow.

Cliftonville travel to Stangmore Park on the back of pocketing 10 points from their first four Danske Bank Premiership fixtures of the season and, while expecting an entertaining contest, McLaughlin is well aware of how challenging his men found things at the County Tyrone venue last term.

“We know they’re a good footballing side,” he explains.

“It was tough for us last year and it’s going to be tough for any team that goes down there and we don’t expect anything other than a tough game. It’ll be a good footballing game between two sides who like to get the ball down and play so hopefully it’s entertaining but it’s a game we feel we can win if we keep our form and momentum going, so it’s important we keep the wheels turning in the right direction.”

Though Rory Hale faces a few weeks on the sidelines after hobbling off in the early stages of last Saturday’s North Belfast Derby draw with Crusaders at Seaview, McLaughlin was pleased to welcome Paul O’Neill back to action in the midweek League Cup defeat of Harland & Wolff Welders.

“Getting Paul back on the pitch is important for us,” he adds.

“He’s a key player, an up-and-coming star of the Irish League so having him back from injury, back in the squad and back available is important for us because we need all our players available. We don’t have the biggest squad in the league, so we need everybody available and it’s good to see Paul back on the pitch.”

Tickets
Cliftonville supporters can buy tickets for this fixture here.