Cliftonville manager Tommy Breslin reckons tomorrow’s match against Crusaders at Solitude has all the makings of a classic north Belfast derby.
Six games into the new season, the match may not decide the eventual destination of the Gibson Cup, but with local bragging rights at stake, it is a clash to whet the appetite.
Cliftonville also have an unbeaten record to maintain, but last week’s 2-2 draw against Premiership minnows Warrenpoint provided rivals Linfield with room to breathe at the top of the table.
Breslin said: “It’s a north Belfast derby so both teams will need no motivation – we’re second and third in the league so it’s an important game for both teams and it should be a great derby, albeit it’s still very early in the season. We’re only just into September.”
After a sluggish start to the season, third-placed Crusaders are aiming for their fourth league win in succession, but Breslin sees reason to be positive about the Reds’ chances against the defending champions.
“They’ve won three on the bounce and they’re scoring goals, but we’ve done well, we’re unbeaten so far this season,” he said.
“Okay, we have a couple of injuries, but we just have to pick ourselves up and there’s no bigger incentive than a north Belfast derby.
“There should be a good crowd, a good atmosphere and if we can get a bit of sharpness back into our game we’ll give a good account of ourselves.”
The two sides have shared the last three Irish league titles, and Breslin has more than a hint of respect for his Crusaders counterpart, Stephen Baxter.
“I get on really well with Stephen, we’ve met in a few finals and have both been challenging at the top of the league for the last couple of years so I’ve a lot of respect for the job that he’s done,” said Breslin.
“It’s tremendous, he brought them out of the first division as it was at that time and slowly but surely has strengthened the team.
“The success that he’s brought to one half of north Belfast and that we’ve brought to the other, it’s just good for the whole area.”
While Tomas Cosgrove, Marc Smyth and James Knowles will miss out on Saturday, the return of Cliftonville regulars – Stephen Garrett, Johnny Flynn and Chris Curran – has been a significant factor in their early season revival.
More positive news for the Cliftonville faithful was the midweek signing of striker Ciaran Murray from Larne.
Breslin believes Murray, who racked up 34 goals in 36 appearances for the Championship side, can meet the requirements of Premiership football.
“Ciaran has that determination and will to do well, he was with us tonight for his first training session and he showed a few flashes,” he said.
“I think he’ll be a good addition for us – we’ve been a bit shot-shy in recent games and he certainly bolsters our squad.
“Not that he’s just here as a squad player but he’ll bring a different dimension and a certain maturity to our team as well.
“As I say, he’s determined to do well and I think once he settles in he will score a lot of goals for us.”
