Cliftonville players ‘looking forward’ to having a crack at ‘deserving champions’, says Jim Magilton
Jim Magilton has credited Larne for recovering from their European heartache as Cliftonville make their way to Inver Park on Tuesday night.
The Invermen were on the cusp of qualifying for the league phase of the Conference League for the second time in three years but a late collapse saw them bow out at the play-off stage to Lincoln Red Imps.
However, their Premiership campaign, which has been riddled with postponements due to their European involvement, has started well after amassing 10 points from their opening four games as they continue to play catch up.
Cliftonville are the visitors to Larne on Tuesday night and Magilton knows the task at hand as the game is sandwiched between last Saturday’s victory at Carrick Rangers and this weekend’s home clash against Glentoran.
"They're champions, deserving champions and they are churning out results,” he said.
"The European campaign was disappointing for them because they were so close but they've used that disappointment to go and win games.
"They've got real quality in their side, real quality off the bench, and again, Larne away is always a difficult one.
"In any league it is tricky having a three-game week...we'll have a count and that's basically it.
"In the first game at Bangor we lost three players, so we had then to use the squad and utilise the squad.
"We're down to probably 19, 20 fit bodies at the moment. We've still got lads who are coming back, lads who need minutes.
"Shaun Leppard came on last Saturday and won some fantastic headers, which is important for us, important for him, important for his confidence.
"So, we'll certainly be ready for Tuesday and we look forward to that challenge.”
One of Cliftonville’s key men so far has been winger Ben Quinn, who netted his fourth Premiership goal in last weekend’s 3-1 win at Carrick.
Whilst being pleased at what the Portadown man has been able to produce so far, Magilton believes there could be even more to come from the 21-year-old.
He added: “He's another one that's needed a platform to go and play.
"He just needed consistency, he can be better, but an outstanding start with us.
"Again, a young lad who wants to play, wants to be creative in the final third, and they are the game changers.
"They're the ones that you need in your team, especially in games away at Carrick, which are always quite difficult.”
Cliftonville’s squad is also littered with a core of Scottish players such as PJ Morrison, Kyle McClelland, Alex Bannon and Dean McMaster.
But why does Magilton think more and players are crossing the Irish Sea to ply their trade in the BOYLE Sports Premiership?
"They're good types, good characters, good personalities and low-maintenance – most of them,” he smiled.
"They understand what it takes and they bring real quality into the group.
"Alex Bannon and Dean McMaster are showing great quality, PJ's been outstanding since he's been at the club, so yeah, we're delighted to have them.
"I know Kyle (McClelland), I know what he can give us, I know what qualities he has and he's definitely got more in him.”