Double build

Jim Magilton says there’s “no hiding place” in a North Belfast Derby as he urged his players to build on a positive weekend by claiming County Antrim Shield progress tonight.

Cliftonville host Crusaders in the season’s first knockout Cup action and, having overcome Glenavon on Sports Direct Premiership duty at the weekend, Magilton is eager to start building form.

“We’ll make some changes, but not dramatic changes,” he said of this evening’s line-up.

“It’s important that lads get minutes and are ready to play because they’re itching to play. Those who are itching to play then have to go on and demonstrate that they’re ready and focused because there’s no hiding place in these games.

“We’re trying to find momentum both in terms of performances and results, so this is another game that presents a big challenge.

As well as representing the Reds’ first win of the campaign, Saturday’s clash with Glenavon also served up a host of goalscoring chances, with Magilton hoping for more of the same against the Crues.

“We’ve always been able, because of the adaptability and versatility of the players, to adapt in games but we just thought we needed more confidence in the attacking third, we needed to have more bodies in the box, we needed to create more opportunities and we just felt changing the shape would help that,” he explained.

“I thought our centre-halves did well and Odhran Casey was outstanding in his role, but it also frees up other people and we saw that with Harry Wilson getting a goal – and you can tell by his celebration that he doesn’t score many – so it’s really important we’re giving these lads confidence to build.”

Cliftonville v Crusaders
Tuesday, September 2 (7.45pm)
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Tickets: General Sale
Members Tickets and Season Tickets NOT valid