Lurgan with intent

Jim Magilton says his Cliftonville squad must be ready to “go again” when they tackle a rejuvenated Glenavon at Mourneview Park tomorrow.

Having drawn with Portadown on Sunday and defeated Carrick Rangers on Wednesday, the Reds travel to Lurgan for a third Sports Direct Premiership fixture in six days with Magilton expecting another close-fought tussle with Paddy McLaughlin’s men.

Just a fortnight has passed since the teams contested an Irish Cup sixth round cracker that Cliftonville emerged on top of in extra-time by a 3-2 scoreline on a day when the sides could arguably have doubled the overall goal tally such was the end-to-end nature of the battle.

“It’s a massive game,” he says of this weekend’s renewal of acquaintances.

“It’s always a tough place to go but especially now because they’re so full of confidence. Paddy’s got them playing well in a really attacking brand of football.

“It’s such a relentless and unforgiving League and we’ve got to go again to face a Glenavon side whose quality we saw up close just a couple of weeks ago.

“They were so good in the Irish Cup game and played really well at Solitude. In a 120-minute Irish Cup tie, they pushed us right to the wire and it could have gone either way at times.

“They have massive strengths but, from our point of view, it’s about trying to identify any weaknesses and doing what we can to expose them.”

Glenavon v Cliftonville
Tickets
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Junior (up to 14): £2
Tickets: General Sale