Swift return

Jim Magilton believes his players will be grateful for tonight’s quick return to action as Cliftonville bid for a place in the quarter-finals of the BetMcLean Cup.

The Manager acknowledges that a second round trip to Dungannon Swifts makes for a tricky assignment but, having been beaten by Larne in their last outing on Friday night, anticipates a hungry Reds side taking to the field at Stangmore Park.

“It’s a massive game for us, we have to bounce back quickly,” he said.

“We don’t have time to ponder too much about it, we know that Dungannon are going to present problems for us and we have to be ready for that and we’ll look forward to that, too.

“We’ll be going strong, looking to win the game and we certainly know Dungannon are going to present a huge challenge to us but I think it’s a really good thing that we have a game so soon after Friday.”

Magilton also saluted his squad’s attitude in the aftermath of their loss at Larne and, while noting that all of his team’s Premiership defeats have come against the sides that finished above them in the League last term, is confident in their ability to overcome that particular hurdle.

“We need to find a way,” he admitted.

“We’ve lost home and away against Linfield, away to Glentoran and now away to Larne. We drew at home to Larne where we were probably the better team.

“However, we’ll keep going and we will find a way. I’ve got a fantastic group of lads, who want to do well and want to find that way.”

Dungannon Swifts v Cliftonville
Cash turnstiles
Adult: £13
Concessions: £9