Desperate measures

Jim Magilton says Cliftonville must show “more desperation” than Glenavon in tomorrow’s Sports Direct Premiership meeting at Solitude.

Neither side has won a League game so far this season and, as such, the Reds boss expects both teams to be fired up to set the record straight.

As encouraged as he was by Cliftonville’s displays in recent draws with Coleraine and Larne, Magilton is looking for an improvement in the performance delivered in last week’s narrow defeat to Linfield and is wary of reading anything into the Lurgan Blues’ own start to the campaign.

“Every game provides unbelievable challenges to you and Glenavon played well last weekend and were unlucky not to come away with something,” he said of the Mourneview side’s controversial loss to the Bannsiders.

“We are very conscious that things will click for Glenavon and we are very aware that there will be an intensity in the game.

“Both teams are desperate for the first win, we have to show more desperation and more quality in our play than they do in their play – it always comes down to that.”

Looking back to last Sunday’s meeting with the Blues, Magilton added: “We always set up not to give away cheap goals, I thought it was a cheap goal. I know it was a deflection, but I just thought it was cheap. Had it ended 0-0, it may have been a different story, but we lost the game.

“That is two losses and two draws and we have to finish off this month against Glenavon. They will come fighting and scrapping because they haven’t won a game. We have to be aware of that and then try and come out and play.”

Cliftonville v Glenavon
Saturday, August 30 (3pm)
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Tickets: General Sale
Members Tickets and Season Tickets valid