My popular demand

Jim Magilton admitted that the high demands he sets for his players can make it difficult for him to ever be wholly satisfied with a performance – even in victory.

Cliftonville maintained their fine form with a 4-1 win over Coleraine yesterday and, as pleased as he was with his team’s work, Magilton felt their display could have been even more emphatic.

“I’m delighted with the result and delighted with the three points,” he said.

“At 2-0, I’m thinking we’re going to really go on and really stamp our authority on the game. We didn’t, we were a little bit lackadaisical and encouraged a good team with good players back into the game.

“I just thought we took our foot off the gas. They lull me into a false sense of security, these lads. When they train, their standards are so high and then when we start giving the ball away cheaply, it doesn’t sit well with me.

“Coleraine had opportunities and I was slightly disappointed with one or two aspects of our play but obviously I’m delighted with the result.

“I just thought we gave the ball away cheaply and I don’t particularly like that. I don’t want to encourage anybody to think that they’ve got a chance in games.

“Overall, I’m very pleased but I have high demands – only set by the players. My over-riding feeling on it is that we can go through the gears more and better; be more ruthless and clinical and all the things that I think are in the make-up of a really good team.”

One undeniably positive element of the afternoon was how the Reds managed the game in the aftermath of Odhran Casey’s 79th minute dismissal, with the team not only limiting Coleraine’s opportunities to get back into the contest but also going on to boost their tally courtesy of a strike that saw Rory Hale join brother Ronan, Shea Kearney and Sam Ashford on the scoresheet.

“That was pleasing,” added Magilton.

“We have lots of good characters. Conor Pepper’s come on and he’s an organiser, and again Chrissy Curran has been excellent. We managed it well and that was a very pleasing aspect.

“Honestly, I’m not upset – I’m not the Grinch. I just expect more, I demand more and that’s nothing to do with Coleraine or their performance. I just really have high demands on them.”