Danske Bank Premiership Europa League Qualifying play-off final: Cliftonville v Glentoran (today, 3pm, Solitude)
CLIFTONVILLE goal machine Joe Gormley was supposed to be jetting off for a dream trip to Las Vegas on Thursday, but instead of America he will lead the Reds’ charge for Europe.
The 33-goal striker booked the trip months ago, and faced a potential dilemma after victory over Ballymena United on Wednesday night saw the Reds through to a money-spinning, winner-takes-all Europa League qualifier against Glentoran today.
However, rather than sampling the sights and sounds of Sin City, Gormley will be leading the line at Solitude in a game that is worth 250,000 euros to the winners.
“There’s a difference in having a holiday booked for Vegas, and actually going to Vegas,” smiled Reds boss Barry Gray.
“He will be available for us. We had a discussion about it and, in fairness, he understands the importance of this game, and the importance of me having my best team available.
“There are no guarantees just because Joe Gormley’s here that we’ll win or if he wasn’t here that we’d lose, but he’s a big player. He’s our lead striker, this is a massively important game.
“We have to give him huge credit because it’s not easy to say ‘no, I’m not going to go to Vegas’, so it goes to show you the attitude we have in the dressing room at the minute.
“For me, Joe Gormley is Mr Cliftonville, he leads from the front and he stands up and is counted in the good and the bad. Situations like this show you how much of a leader, and how much of a team player, he is.”
Cliftonville enjoy home advantage today on account of a higher league finish than the Glens, who stunned Linfield at Windsor Park in their play-off semi-final.
Curtis Allen returned from his suspension fiasco with a bang, winning the penalty that brought Ronnie McFall’s men back into the game.
However, William Garrett is a doubt for today’s game after injuring his foot kicking the advertising hoarding while celebrating putting the Glens 3-2 up.
A major battle lies ahead, but Gray – who had to lift his men for the Ballymena game after last weekend’s Irish Cup final defeat to Coleraine - feels the Solitude support can help swing the game in their favour.
“We’re hoping there’ll be a big crowd there tomorrow and that they’ll be as vocal as they were on Wednesday night,” he continued.
“There’s a mental swing there, and we are comfortable at home, like most teams. The money’s one aspect of it but, after last week and the defeat in the Irish Cup, we have an opportunity to finish the season on something of a high.
“I know there are no trophies or medals to be handed out, but it’s a massive achievement if you can get European football back.
“Last year we missed it, the club and all the supporters missed it, and from a financial point of view it left a massive hole to fill. If we could get that back on track in my first season, I’d be delighted with that.
“It would help us to maintain the squad of players we have and maybe add to it going forward. It’s huge that way.”
Gray also feels it would be just reward for the faith shown by the board and “the people in the background” during an at times trying year.
“They deserve a lot of praise.
“The club has given me a substantial budget this year to build a panel and this would be the reward for them. It would be great if we could repay them for their support.”
