Sold on the Reds

Axel Piesold admits he’s very much learning on the job in the Sports Direct Premiership but says he’s well aware of the demands he will face during his time at Cliftonville

The 19-year-old midfielder made the first appearance of his spell on loan from Luton Town during last week’s 1-0 win over Portadown and, as he prepares for tomorrow’s Mourneview Park encounter with Glenavon, has revealed how footage of the Reds’ Irish Cup Final success played a part in him signing up at Solitude.

“I didn’t know much about Cliftonville but obviously when I knew there was a chance I might be coming out, I did my research,” he explains.

“I watched bits and pieces of the Cup Final last year and try to familiarise myself with the Club as much as I could and seeing that, the fans and what it meant to everyone was great to see and it showed me what I was coming into and it’s something I’m really looking forward to being a part of.”

Having been a Cliftonville player for less than a fortnight, Piesold – who emerged through the Tottenham Hotspur Academy and enjoyed a brief stint with Dunstable Town before being snapped up by Luton – believes the experience of moving to a brand new League can help with his development as a player.

“When you play against players in the Under-21s or Under-18s, you know it’s not going to be as physical but, in the men’s game, no matter how old you are, you’re going to be treated just the same as the next person and you’ve got to be ready for that,” he says.

“Hopefully coming on loan can help me with that side of my game in a way that you wouldn’t get playing at underage levels. I feel it’s a Club and a League where I can improve my game and learn, but I also know that it’s about results every week.

“We know we want to finish as high as possible and do as well as last year, if not better, so that was an attractive reason for me to come here. The style of football, too; we like to pass out from the back and control the game and that was another incentive for me to join because that’s the sort of style I think can benefit me.”

And, ahead of his first taste of an Irish League away day, he adds: “Taking a step out to a whole new Club in a whole new League is great because you’re playing at completely different grounds against players you’ve not come up against before and I think that can be a valuable experience for the long road. In away games, you’re up against different crowds on different pitches and all of that can be important to help a player develop and improve.”

Glenavon v Cliftonville
Saturday, August 17 (3pm)
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Tickets: General Sale