Jim Magilton hails 'wonderful ability' of Cliftonville star after derby delight
Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton hailed the “wonderful ability” of Micheal Glynn after his role in Saturday’s 5-2 North Belfast derby victory over Crusaders.
Having provided the assist for Luke Conlan’s header which put the Reds 2-0 up inside eight minutes, Glynn’s strike just moments after the break helped restore Cliftonville’s two-goal advantage at Solitude.
Harry Wilson’s superb curling effort and Josh Kelly’s maiden club goal since joining on loan from Glentoran added further gloss to the scoreline for Magilton’s men.
Former Northern Ireland U21 international Glynn is still only 23 but has already celebrated significant silverware success throughout his career, winning two Premiership titles at Larne before collecting a League Cup with Cliftonville last term.
Glynn has made just 13 league starts for the Reds this season with his campaign interrupted by injury, but Magilton hopes the wing-back will be able to build on his impressive weekend display.
"He has this wonderful ability,” said Magilton. “He's always been blessed with that.
"I've known him a long time and he has that ability to be able to shift the ball and go by people.
"He's a casualty sometimes of his own real personality and character, he's very laid-back.
"He's won two league medals with Larne, you have to remember that, and he's won a League Cup here for us, so he's got massive background in our game...he has to take that opportunity.”
Magilton was active throughout the recent transfer window and believes his new recruits are starting to make a big impact after picking up just a second win across their last nine league matches.
Brian Healy, who joined in January having netted 22 league goals for H&W Welders this season, further added to his Reds tally by opening the scoring on Saturday and started alongside Adam Carroll in attack.
Fellow signings Joe Toole and Kelly also started, while Aidan Kelly and Liam McStravick came off the bench as Cliftonville maintained their push for a top-half finish.
"I don't particularly like January because it's a big ask of the player to come in and gel with lads that they don't know and fit in right away,” added Magilton. "That tells you maybe about the quality of player that can come in and do that...Brian and Adam, I always thought, were good players, and I know they’re good players now having worked with them.
"So that's a massive positive for us, Joe Toole's done great and he's only going to get better, I think.
"I thought Josh Kelly was outstanding today. I thought his decision-making, everything he did, apart from a loose header that caused the first goal, I thought he was brilliant.
"There are positives. I could stand here all day and all the managers can stand all day and tell people about injuries.
"But that's this time of year, we all have to react, it's part and parcel of the game.
"I always give the confidence to the person who's replacing that person and giving them the opportunity to come in and present themselves.
"January was important to get the bodies in, thankfully, because we needed them.”