Kean to react

Though Cliftonville are negotiating a hectic fixture schedule, Jack Keaney says he and his team-mates are grateful to be back in action tonight.

This evening’s North Belfast Derby duel with Crusaders represents the Reds’ fifth consecutive away match inside a fortnight but, having been stung by their failure to preserve a two-goal lead against Glentoran at the weekend, Keaney insists the swift opportunity to get back on track is a welcome one.

“We didn’t want to be letting the Glentoran result fester for a week,” he says of Saturday’s 2-2 draw.

“We want to get back out on to the pitch again to put things right.

“The games are coming thick and fast and as a player, that’s what you want. We’ve had a lot of games of late, we had a lot of sore bodies after the Glentoran match.

“The best way to right things is to go to the Crues, put a performance in and hopefully get another win, but we know it’s always tough going to Seaview.”

Though defeated on penalties in last Tuesday’s BetMcLean Cup quarter-final clash with the Glens, the Reds make the short journey to the Shore Road unbeaten in open play in 10 matches – a run Keaney is eager to extend tonight.

“Our form has been good of late,” he adds.

“I think the performance at The Oval put a wee bit of a damper on that. We know we are playing well, although we probably didn’t show that on our second-half showing.”

Supporters are advised that both Cliftonville FC and Crusaders FC remain in regular dialogue with the NI Football League while monitoring the ongoing weather warnings that are in place due to Storm Bram. Any match-related updates in this regard will be immediately communicated via our social media platforms.

Crusaders v Cliftonville
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Tickets: General Sale