From old times as Liverpool friends to new tests as rival Irish League managers

McAree’s Dungannon Swifts will welcome title-chasing Cliftonville in a first season under Magilton with points important to both.

But before the destination of the end result is decided there will be time to reflect together on the journey.

"Jim was only at Liverpool for a few months after I went over but even when I'd been going back and forward from home to the club previously he would always have looked out for me as someone from Northern Ireland,” said McAree. "Mr and Mrs Prince looked after me in my digs when I joined Liverpool but one of their previous players was Jim.

"They were wonderful people and Jim would have called back to see them.

"It's always good to see Jim, I think he's been a fantastic appointment for Cliftonville and great for the league as well.

"He has his own ideas about how he wants his team to play and Cliftonville, for me, play a terrific brand of football.

"He's someone I'd imagine players enjoy playing under, along with Gerard Lyttle, so huge credit.

"We've played Cliftonville three times this season and on a couple of those we've got beat heavily.

"In the first game we got beat five but for the first half-hour spell or so we were probably the better side but then we lost our way or Cliftonville found their way a wee bit more.

"We then beat them in the League Cup and then they beat us 4-1 at home but it was probably 2-1 up until the 88th minute.

"All I want to be in those games is competitive and, although the scorelines may not reflect it, we were in all three.

"If we're competitive with the big clubs and give ourselves a chance of getting something out of them then I'm happy.

"Too many times in the past Dungannon Swifts have maybe not competed against the big clubs and it's been maybe too easy.

“So, first and foremost, that's one thing I wanted when I came back.

"We have to work extremely hard, if you don't compete or turn up it can be a long day.

"But I've enjoyed those games because of the football played."

McAree’s message since returning home last summer for another spell as Swifts boss has been to focus on forward momentum.

It is a philosophy which has put Dungannon nine points clear of the drop zone and six off seventh spot heading towards the split.

"Obviously first and foremost we want to survive, we want to stay up,” said McAree. "We still believe that we're capable of finishing seventh.

"We've put ourselves into a position where if we can pick results up between now and the end of the season you never know where it takes you.

"It's going to be a huge ask...but we might as well set our sights high and hope that we can get close to that.

"We've four tough games - Cliftonville, away to Glenavon, home to Glentoran then away to Coleraine just before the split...if we can pick points up, any sort of points, it's going to be a bonus."

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