Bang the drum

Jim Magilton wants to harness the raw energy and emotion that swept over Solitude on Saturday in a bid to get back on track in the Sports Direct Premiership.

The weekend’s injury-time win over Glenavon booked a Clearer Water Irish Cup quarter-final trip to Loughgall in early March – by which time the Reds are scheduled to contest six League fixtures, starting with tonight’s home game against Bangor.

“We’re playing catch-up in the League,” says Magilton, whose side have played fewer Premiership matches than any other team this season.

“I know this isn’t one of those games but we’re playing catch-up on a lot of teams. We got a few bodies in in January and they’re chomping at the bit and it was important for Josh Kelly to get 60 minutes on Saturday because he hasn’t played in a while. As these weeks go on, we’re going to have to utilise the squad and everyone has to be ready.”

Ineligible to feature against Glenavon, recent recruits Adam Carroll and Kyle McClelland are available for selection this evening and, though tonight’s game will come too soon for either, PJ Morrison is making progress in his recovery from a thumb injury, while Luke Conlan is closing in on a return following six months on the sidelines.

While noted for giving young talent an opportunity to shine, Magilton paid tribute to some of the more experienced campaigners in his panel not just for influencing Saturday’s comeback when down to 10 men, but also for the wider guidance they have given to those around them.

“Our senior players have been amazing since I’ve been at the Club,” he added.

“Rory Hale, Joe Gormley and Jonny Addis obviously had an impact on Saturday; Ryan Curran and Conor Pepper have also been amazing.

“The senior players at this Club deserve special mention because without them, we would not have enjoyed anywhere near the success that we’ve enjoyed. People have to remember we’ve lost two Cup Finals – I’d rather be in them to lose them. The guts that these players have shown is huge and now we’ve got to build.

“The way we finished the game on Saturday is the way we have to go from the very first whistle.

“The fans are so important to us and I think they know that. They saw the effort, they saw the determination and they saw the guts. Once you put that shirt on, there’s a massive responsibility to do that and you can’t hold back, you can’t wait to see how the opposition are going to start, you have to hit the ground running. As soon as the referee blows that whistle – bang.

“In the second-half on Saturday, and especially after the sending-off, it galvanised us, it galvanised the crowd. The drama went right up until the dying embers and then the crowd after the game, it was great. The scenes we saw at the end on Saturday; we need everyone – players, supporters, everyone – to take that with us again.”

Cliftonville v Bangor
Tuesday, February 10
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Tickets: General Sale
Members Tickets and Season Tickets valid