Stand up guys

Jim Magilton says he has faith in the strength of character that exists within his squad as Cliftonville bid to put a difficult period behind them.

The Reds travel to Coleraine on Boyle Sports Premiership duty tomorrow on the back of a run of defeats that was extended by last Saturday’s controversial loss to Ballymena United, and Magilton says that spells such as this demand that big personalities step forward.

“You can’t become intimidated,” he said.

“You have to stand up. These are the moments where the true character of players shines through. That’s what we have done in the past and that’s exactly what we have to do now.

“No football career or life goes through on a high. It’s a rollercoaster, it’s the highs and the lows but it’s always about the character of the players and the character of the team.

“We showed good character last week. We kept going right to the end and while ultimately we’ve lost the game, there’s some satisfaction from the manner in which we went about our business.”

Quizzed on the part that senior players such as captain Rory Hale and all-time leading goalscorer Joe Gormley have to play in the team’s approach to rediscovering their form, Magilton concluded: “They have a massive role within this Football Club anyway but in moments like this where it tests you, you have to keep going.

“They will understand that, they’ll address that, they’ll be the first on the front line.”

Coleraine v Cliftonville
Saturday, October 10
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Primary school kids: £5
Tickets: General Sale