Job to be Donn

Jim Magilton expects new Glenavon Manager Stephen McDonnell to ensure Cliftonville face a stern challenge in this evening’s Sports Direct Premiership encounter.

The duo worked together during Magilton’s interim spell in charge of Dundalk and, as they prepare to go head to head at Mourneview Park tonight, the Reds boss anticipates coming up against a well-drilled opponent.

“I have so much time for him, I think he’s an outstanding coach and he’ll have Glenavon ready,” he explained.

“We’ve prepared in the right fashion by looking at their strengths and weaknesses to try and win the game. I keep saying this League is relentless and if we’re not ready and not prepared then we could be in for a very difficult night.”

Tonight’s clash commences the second round of Premiership fixtures and, reflecting on his side’s first 11 League outings, Magilton has paid tribute to his squad’s application.

“It’s a mentality thing,” he added.

“The mental aspect of that is that once we haven’t got the ball, we all become defenders and we’ve spoken about that since pre-season, I think I’ve been pretty consistent in that – the moment we don’t have the ball, we’re all defenders; the moment we have the ball, we come alive and obviously we carry a threat.

“And we carry that threat because we’re getting bodies back, which helps because obviously that means we have more options coming off the bench.”

Magilton also had words of empathy for Reds winger Jamie McDonagh, who is currently on loan at Glenavon and was recently admitted to hospital for treatment on a significant issue.

“Our sympathies go with him, it’s a terrible thing that’s happened to him,” he said.

“The lads have all sent cards and well wishes, as we all have as a Football Club, and the quicker he gets back on to a football pitch, the better.”

Glenavon v Cliftonville
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