Eastern promise

Despite defeat in Tuesday night’s BetMcLean Cup quarter-final with Glentoran at The Oval, Jim Magilton wants Cliftonville to take confidence into tomorrow’s Sports Direct Premiership clash at the same venue.

The Reds return to the east of the city four days on from a penalty shootout reverse against Declan Devine’s side but, buoyed by a rich vein of form across various League and Cup competitions, Magilton will urge his players to maintain the same approach that has yielded rewards in recent times.

“There is a greater intensity without the ball,” he says of his team’s upturn in performance.

“That was really important. We were too easy to play against, we were giving away cheap goals – albeit we gave away two cheap goals last weekend – it is all about that and at the minute that’s what we are doing.

“When you get into a groove, it’s always the first win and then you back it up. It’s game by game. Everyone talks about the cliches but the cliches are so important. It’s one game at a time and if you can win a game, can you build on it and win the next and the next?

“The game doesn’t change, it’s just the way it is and, all of a sudden, it builds momentum, which is crucial in football. It gives players this unbelievable confidence to go out and play and to continue to play. That’s what we’ve got to do.”

Glentoran v Cliftonville
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Tickets: General Sale