Danske Bank Irish Premiership: Cliftonville v Crusaders (tomorrow, Solitude, 3pm)
FOR years, Colin Coates was something of a north Belfast derby panto villain. That kind of status was always hard-earned among the Cliftonville faithful.
The impenetrable lynchpin of Crusaders for virtually two decades, Coates was the kind of player Reds fans loved to hate.
When it came to the intense rivalry between the Reds and Crues, Coates never seemed to have a bad game.
Now in the twilight of his hugely successful playing career, the 36-year-old central defender is now a Red and his ambition to play burns as bright as it has ever done.
After his controversial exit from Seaview in January 2020, he was offered a deal to sign for sworn rivals Cliftonville but decided to move to Glenavon instead.
“I thought at that time that it wasn’t the right thing to do because of the length of time I was at Crusaders,” Coates says.
“In hindsight, I probably should’ve made that move rather than going to Glenavon. But when the opportunity came up again, it was a no-brainer. It’s where you want to be, playing at a club that’s fighting at the top end of the table and pushing for Europe and trophies is what it’s about.”
His appearances for Cliftonville have been few and far between due to arriving a few games into the season as well as suffering from a bout of COVID a couple of months ago.
Cliftonville’s impressive form from the start of the campaign has meant little changes to the starting XI, so Coates has had to be patient as Jonny Addis and Luke Turner continue to perform at a very high level at the heart of the Reds defence.
Despite the lack of first team appearances Coates feels as fit as he’s ever been and credits that to the intensity with which the Reds train under boss Paddy McLaughlin.
“All the coaching staff have been brilliant since I joined and there’s a great group of players there who are good craic to be around.
“There are a lot of young, hungry players who want to do well and that’s been good for me as it energises you. I’ve really enjoyed everything about it. Now, obviously you want more game-time but I joined three or four games into the season and the team was winning games, so you can’t really complain.
“It’s just a matter of making sure when I am needed I’m ready to play. If I get a chance I feel I can do well and stay in the team. The two lads are doing really well at the minute.
“It’s about helping them and they know as well that there are two or three boys waiting in the wings, that if you don’t perform someone will take your place and it might be a while before you get your shirt back. That’s what a squad needs.
“I feel I’ve a new lease of life. We train three nights per week and it is intense and tough. It’s probably the most I’ve trained in my career and I’m feeling as fit as I’ve ever felt.”
Coates was an unused sub in their 1-1 draw with Crusaders at Seaview on September 11 and is likely to be among the Reds bench again for today's annual Christmas derby.
Cliftonville have been knocked off top spot by Linfield and Glentoran, but are only a point behind them while the fourth-placed Crues are nine points adrift of tomorrow's hosts.
“The north Belfast derby over Christmas is a brilliant fixture. I’ve been lucky to play in a lot of them. They are intense fixtures, especially the first 20 minutes when there’s never a lot of football played.
“I remember playing in one of them when Crusaders finished with seven men, players were getting sent off all over the place, the emotion took over. It’s very important you keep that in check. It’s very similar to playing in a cup final. You’re playing a game of football and you focus on the job you have in that game.”
“I’d obviously great memories playing there – a lot of players who would be in Crusaders all-time XI I played with. I was lucky to captain the team to every trophy going.
“They were good times but things move on, decisions are made, and I’m lucky to have the opportunity with Cliftonville.”
Irish Premiership fixtures
Cliftonville v Crusaders
Odds: H:17/10 D:9/4 A:11/8
Prediction: Cliftonville
Ballymena United v Coleraine
Odds: H:5/2 D:5/2 A:20/23
Prediction: Draw
Carrick v Larne
Odds: H:5/1 D:7/2 A:4/11
Prediction: Larne
Linfield v Glentoran
Odds: H:19/20 D:12/5 A:23/10
Prediction: Linfield
Portadown v Glenavon
Odds: H:11/4 D:14/5 A:3/4
Prediction: Glenavon
Warrenpoint v Dungannon Swifts
Odds: H:29/20 D:12/5 A:7/5
Prediction: Warrenpoint
