Opportunity knocks

Jim Magilton has rallied his players to take the opportunities presented to them as Cliftonville prepare for tomorrow’s trip to Larne.

The Reds begin their post-split Sports Direct Premiership schedule at Inver Park, where a combination of injury, suspension and international call-ups have reduced Magilton’s selection options – but, rather than lament the situation, the Manager has instead urged the squad to positively embrace the circumstances they find themselves in.

“I’ve repeatedly spoken about how I don’t like to talk too much about players that are missing because I’d rather talk about the players who will be going on to the pitch because they need to understand that they have my confidence and my faith,” he explained.

“We’ve obviously taken a big hit recently given all the matches we had to play to catch up before the split and that has taken its toll in terms of injuries and how we’ve had to manage the group to ensure nobody is over-exerted.

“Ours isn’t really a squad that has the numbers to cope when so many players are out. Other Clubs with bigger squads can deal with that better than we can numbers-wise but, as I always say, someone being unavailable presents an opportunity for someone else and that’s how we have to look at it.

“Players have a chance to not only come in for a game and show what they can do, but to lay down a marker and claim that place for themselves.

“It was a similar situation against Glentoran the other week where I didn’t feel people grasped that opportunity. Against Ballymena last Saturday, we were down to 10 men for a very long time and the team worked so, so hard to try and cover for that. I couldn’t fault or criticise their work rate.

“We go into the Larne game on the back of a free week, which has been such a rare thing for us because we’ve often been playing two and even three games a week over the last few months. We’ve had a full week to prepare for this match and, as much as there has been a lot of talk about who’s missing, let’s give our backing and support to the players who will be on the pitch.

“This is a big chance for them and it’s one I believe they’ll be hungry to really grasp and make the most of.”

Larne v Cliftonville
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Under-11s: £1
Tickets: General Sale