CLIFTONVILLE’S Ryan Catney says champions Crusaders are the side the rest of the Danske Bank Premiership are trying to live up to after the Shore Road men started their title defence with a 6-0 thrashing of Ballymena United on Saturday.
Jordan Owens grabbed a hat-trick as the Crues were quickest out of the traps at Seaview as they began their quest to make it three league titles in-a-row.
Cliftonville began their own league season with a 2-2 draw against Ards at the Bangor Fuels Arena and Catney admitted the Reds were disappointed not to take maximum points against the newly-promoted north Down side.
“Obviously, we wanted to start well and put down our own marker, but fair play to Ards, they were excellent and matched us all the way,” Catney said.
“We’re not too disheartened, there was always going to be a shock result on the opening day and, unfortunately, we were on the receiving end of it. But there’s room for improvement across the pitch and we’ll get there, sooner rather than later.”
On Cliftonville’s title rivals and near-neighbours Crusaders, Catney is under no illusions about their quality: “They’re the team to beat at the minute,” he added.
“They’re the league champions and they’re strengthened over the summer with proven Irish League quality. They look to have everything covered and they’re setting the marker for everyone else in the league to try to live up to.”
Cliftonville were twice in front at the Bangor Fuels Arena, but were twice pegged back by Ards. Levi Ives opened the scoring for the Reds, showing impressive composure to finish after a through ball by Jay Donnelly. Ards were given a route back into the game when Caoimhín Bonner handled a Craig McMillen cross in the box. Referee Keith Kennedy immediately pointed to the spot and Michael Ruddy made no mistake in dispatching it to the back of the net.
Cliftonville were back in front within seconds of the restart when Jay Donnelly capitalised on confusion in the Ards penalty box to lob keeper Aaron Hogg. But back came Ards, this time through Joe McKinney with a stunner. Beginning 25-yards out on the right touchline, McKinney drove at the Cliftonville defence, leaving a number of players in his wake before beating Jason Mooney from a tight angle. In the end, both sides had to settle for a point apiece, although Ards will have been much the happier with the outcome.
Next up for Cliftonville is Glentoran on Wednesday night and Catney is desperate for the Reds to pick up their first win in their first home game of the season at Solitude.
“Glentoran is our first home league game of the season and we’ll be eager to get the win in front of our fans,” he said.
“We’ve a number of a players who are just settling in at the minute and when we click, we’ll be good, hopefully it’ll come together on Wednesday.”
Catney is underwhelmed at the prospect of facing new Glentoran star and Glasgow Rangers old boy Nacho Novo however: “It doesn’t matter about him, really.
“The fans might be excited about seeing him, but that’s not how the players think. We’ll just have our heads down to try and take the three points.”
