Boss eyes travel slickness

Jim Magilton says Cliftonville must take intensity on their travels when they tackle Linfield this weekend.

After a poor away showing against Bangor on the opening day of the Sports Direct Premiership season, the Reds stepped things up in home duels with Coleraine and Larne, with the Manager calling for more of the same application at the Clearer Twist Stadium tomorrow.

“Every game in the League offers up problems,” says Magilton.

“Every coach and every set of players deserve great credit because they have to earn the right and every game is a tough game.

“We’ve had three games and we’ve played with great intensity in the last two – especially the second-half against Larne on Tuesday.”

With Rhyss Campbell facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament tear against the Bannsiders last Saturday and Luke Conlan nursing a groin complaint picked up in the same game, Magilton’s options were further reduced when Micheal Glynn was harshly sent off on Tuesday evening.

Even so, the Reds boss – who yesterday welcomed Mansfield Town loanee Darien Wauchope to the Club – says rolling with such punches is part and parcel of the game.

“We just have to address the squad and we look forward to Linfield away on Sunday and the challenges they will present,” he adds.

“It gives someone else an opportunity to come in and play, it’s just the nature of the beast. You are heavily reliant on your squad and these lads will stand up and be counted.

“We’ve shown good resolve, resilience, intensity and quality on the ball – and we’ll need all of that again because this League is unrelenting.”