Test of Carrick-ter

Jim Magilton insists that Cliftonville must be ready for a battle when they tackle Carrick Rangers tomorrow.

The Reds travel to the Loughview Leisure Arena with memories of September’s County Antrim Shield defeat still fresh in the mind – which, the Manager believes, will serve as a warning of what to expect from Stuart King’s side.

“You only have to look at Carrick’s recent results to see what they’re capable of and what they’re about,” says Magilton.

“We’ve already found out for ourselves what it can be like down there if you’re not on it from the first whistle and it’s important we don’t allow that to happen again.

“Games like this will test everything we’ve got and we know Carrick aren’t a team you dare take lightly. You need to show what kind of character you have and it’s about using that character to earn the right to play football.”

Though Odhran Casey returns from the one-game ban that ruled him out of last Saturday’s victory over Newry City, Kris Lowe remains sidelined with an injury sustained in the recent trip to Larne, with Magilton outlining how pleased he is to have options at his disposal.

“We obviously have good choices in the forward areas with Ronan Hale now back alongside Ben Wilson, with Joe Gormley and Sam Ashford coming off the bench last week,” he adds.

“We’ve Stephen Mallon outside of that who gives us another threat, plus young Shea Kearney is really growing into the Irish League and that’s great to see.

“Against Dungannon a couple of weeks back, Stephen McGuinness came in and did very well. We had Luke Turner out injured but he showed great courage to play against Newry when we needed a fitness test before the game to see if he would make it.

“Luke has been such an important part of our backline this season that it was great to be able to put him back in, but I know Stephen is there for us as well, plus obviously Luke Kenny has come in for the last two games.

“It’s a very talented squad and I keep telling the players that. It’s just important that, whoever’s on the pitch, they don’t lose faith in the way we want to play. They’re good enough to do it but we need to combine that with the kind of character you need to show when you go to places like Carrick.”

Carrick Rangers v Cliftonville
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