Irish Premiership: Cliftonville v Glentoran (Saturday, Solitude, 3pm)
THERE are plenty of points still to be played for, says Cliftonville manager Paddy McLaughlin, and the Reds are determined to stay in the race for the league title.
McLaughlin’s side lost 2-1 to Larne at Inver Park last weekend and the Seasiders extended their lead at the top of the table to six points with victory at Ballymena on Tuesday night.
Cliftonville need three points against city rivals Glentoran tomorrow to stay in the hunt as the title run-in begins but that won’t be easy against a Glens side that has won five of their last six.
“We’ve got to be at our best to get a result,” said Cliftonville boss McLaughlin.
“The boys have trained well, they were disappointed with losing last week but good sides always bounce back and that’s what we’ve done over the years. Hopefully we can do that tomorrow and keep ourselves up there challenging Larne.”
Cliftonville may be half-a-dozen points adrift of the league leaders but there are still a lot of points to play for and slip-ups are guaranteed before the end of the season.
“There’s a long way to go – there’s still nine matches and 27 points to be played for,” said McLaughlin.
“There was no shame going to Larne and losing the game and there were a couple of controversial calls by the referee that went against us. Jamie McDonagh’s sending-off was the softest you’d see in any league.
“Some calls went against us, we were down to 10 men and we didn’t play at our best so when you add all that up and see we were narrowly beaten it shows the work and the determination of the boys.
“There’ll be so many ups and downs for all the teams and staying in the fight is our target, staying in the race to the end. The boys have been brilliant all season, we’re sitting second in the league and we’re proving the doubters wrong once again.
“I’ve seen a few comments that we’re out of it now because of the defeat to Larne. We’re the closest team to Larne but two or three teams have mentioned that they’ve a better chance than us even though we’ve more points than them.
“That’s the kind of stuff that motivates the players and we’re looking forward to playing Glentoran and hearing what people have to say after the game.”
After his red card at Larne, Cliftonville will be without suspended McDonagh tomorrow. Levi Ives is out with injury and McLaughlin is concerned that talented youngster Sean Moore won’t be fit for the game. McLaughlin says Moore – who limped off before half-time against Larne - needs more protection from referees.
“Sean was carried off the pitch,” he said.
“So many people are talking about how good he is and how it’s great for the league to see that kind of talent coming through but the last two games we’ve had to take him off through injury. He’s getting no protection from the referees at all and it’s frustrating.
“A young boy of 17 making his way in the game deserves some protection and we’re not asking for anything special, we’re not asking for anything any other team shouldn’t get. I had to carry him off the pitch last week and we didn’t even get a foul for the tackle.”
Also on Saturday (3pm): Ballymena United v Crusaders, Carrick Rangers v Larne, Glenavon v Newry City AFC, Linfield v Coleraine
