Won vision for boss

Jim Magilton felt it was important for Cliftonville to thank the Red Army for their support this season by signing off from Solitude with a win.

The Reds brought the curtain down on their home commitments in the Sports Direct Premiership with a 2-0 victory over Glentoran courtesy of goals in either half from Stephen Mallon and Ronan Hale, with Magilton’s only bone of contention being a failure to win by a more convincing margin.

“When we settled into the game, we created enough opportunities to win two games,” he said.

“It was a bit like at Crusaders in midweek, when we also created a lot of opportunities but just couldn’t put enough of them away.

“When you’re on top, you have to take those opportunities because it gives you a cushion and then it gives the players confidence to go and play.

“Overall, I’m delighted with the result and delighted that we sent our fans home happy. It was important that we won the game and it’s a positive result for us going into next week.”

Opening scorer Mallon was joined in making an early departure by Paddy Burns, with Magilton explaining that, with the Clearer Water Irish Cup Final now less than a fortnight away, there’s little sense in taking a risk on any players.

“I think it was just a precaution with Stephen,” he explained.

“I think he felt his thigh a bit and fair play to him because it’s not easy to come off in those circumstances when there’s a Cup Final coming up. But you can’t take any chances and it’s the same with Paddy, so we took him off as well.

“Obviously, we need minutes for others. Kris Lowe was back in the squad but we couldn’t get him on the pitch; Shea Gordon’s got minutes which is important. Overall, the bench looked healthier for us.