Paddy McLaughlin fears hot-shot Hale brothers will add to their match ball collection

Rory Hale bagged a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Newry City at the weekend, but younger brother Ronan went one better in the midweek thumping of Carrick Rangers in the BetMcLean League Cup to add another keepsake ball to the family connection.

The Reds boss was delighted to see the siblings hit the goal trail, even if it does prove costly for the club.

“I think the club are looking me to take boys off after they’ve scored two goals because they’re worried about all these hat-tricks," McLaughlin joked on the club website.

"But it’s brilliant for the team, it’s brilliant for the club and I’m sure the supporters are enjoying what they’re seeing at the minute but I do believe there’s a lot more to come from us.

“That’s not being critical of our boys, I just believe we have got more in the tank, we have got more about us and hopefully we’ll show that.”

“Ronan scoring four was brilliant for him because Rory was starting to get carried away with himself there for a couple of days, thinking he was the main man in the house,” he added.

“Now Ronan’s reminded us that he’s the goal scorer of the family.

“The two of them have been brilliant. Ronan’s been superb since we brought him in, he scores goals, he assists, he’s direct, he’s hard to play against and terrifies defenders. His run of form since he’s come to the Club has been superb."

The Hales have played a major part in the Reds recent goal-scoring form ahead of tonight’s North Belfast derby with Crusaders.

McLaughlin’s men have scored 16 goals in their last five games with the deadly duo of Rory and Ronan responsible for 10 of those.

They hit Carrick Rangers for six during the week but McLaughlin thought the score line was harsh on their opponents.

“The main objective was to get through to the next round so we’re delighted with that,” said the Cliftonville boss.

“It was maybe a bit of a harsh scoreline on Carrick because they worked really hard, especially in the first-half when I thought they kept their shape really well and limited us to leave us a bit frustrated at times.”