Tommy Breslin insists there are no alarm bells sounding out at Solitude as Cliftonville continue their title march.
The Reds continue to sit top of the Danske Bank Premiership, but their lead has been whittled down to just three points in the past week.
A New Year’s Day defeat to Linfield – followed by the Reds’ inactivity on Saturday – has seen Crusaders close in on their derby rivals.
Champions Linfield have also narrowed the gap to seven points, cranking up the pressure on Breslin’s side ahead of Monday night’s Sky Sports clash with Glentoran at Solitude.
Some questions have been posed to the North Belfast title favourites – who can boast two games in hand of their main rivals – Breslin insists his players are focused on getting back on track.
“There is no pressure, and there are no panic alarms being set off,” he said.
“If someone offered me at the start of the season that we would be clear with a game in hand in January, I would have taken your hand off.
“It is going to be a big month, but they are all big months.
“Everybody has the same fixtures to play. There will be twists and turns along the way and teams will close in on us.
“Last Tuesday was only our third defeat of the season so we haven’t done too badly.
“We are looking forward to Glentoran on Monday night, and we won’t dwell on the Linfield result.
“We haven’t allowed the players to dwell on it. We have a new challenge and we have to move on.”
LISBURN Distillery have made striker Gary Liggett available to other clubs.
Liggett joined from Glenavon and previously had a spell with Portadown.
The 26-year-old was part of the Whites’ League Cup-winning side of 2011
Distillery manager Tim McCann confirmed Liggett had been made available to other clubs.
It is believed Coleraine and Ballymena United are interested in the striker.
“Gary has been made available to other clubs,” McCann said.
“It was a difficult decision but it is the best one for the player and the club.”
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