Basic approach

Jim Magilton says that he and his backroom staff must delve into their wealth of knowhow to help inspire an upturn in form following three straight Sports Direct Premiership defeats.

Cliftonville turn their attention to this evening’s County Antrim Shield quarter-final tussle with Linfield at Solitude, where Magilton will ask his players to go “back to basics” in a bid to address their recent troubles.

“This is a time to use all your experience,” he said.

“That’s Gerard (Lyttle), myself and the staff and the senior players within the group. We have to find a way and the way to find it is by being repetitive in our messages.

“The whole principles of how we play the game aren’t going to change, what has to change is this hard-to-beat mentality, it’s too easy at the moment. That comes down to an attitude and application to prevent the ball from going into your net, and then having the courage in the opposite box.

“The game’s always played in the two boxes. It’s how you make up what happens in the middle of the pitch – but it’s still about the courage to go and head it out of one box and put the ball in the net in the other.

“On that level, it’s about going back to basics and making sure we get those things right to try and build on something from there.”

Cliftonville v Linfield
Admission information
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Tickets: General Sale
Members Tickets and Season Tickets NOT valid