'That's two down' - Cliftonville transfer window final push for Irish League answers
Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton is hoping the final few stages of the transfer window can provide a solution to problems emphasised and amplified in Saturday’s home loss to Dungannon Swifts.
The Reds’ 2-0 defeat featured a disallowed Brian Healy goal, Harry Wilson red card and loss of goalkeeper Peter Morrison to injury before the visitors’ goals for Kealan Dillon and Sean McAllister.
"That's two down (goalkeepers)...we don't know how severe - PJ (Peter Morrison) is in a lot of pain,” said Magilton. "Anyone who's ever had a rib injury can tell you it's agony.
"Obviously, Lewis Ridd's out for a number of weeks and could be longer.
"Hopefully we've got one in...as long as everything gets cleared.
"And then we're looking for other bodies. We can't afford any exits...if we lose one or two bodies it decimates our squad.
"Now Rhyss Campbell's making good progress...probably be available again for next week. Ryan Corrigan's making great progress and he'll be available in the next few weeks. So, that's good but, obviously, we're always trying to strengthen.”
Magilton finished frustrated at key decisions by the match officials.
“'Bigi' (Gael Bigirimana) has seen it (Wilson challenge for red) coming...Harry? Is he that impetuous? Not really,” said Magilton. "There is zero contact other than ‘Bigi’'s jump and they've collided...actually, Harry's taken one on his side. So, once sent off, it's always really, really difficult after that...especially against a team like Dungannon who pride themselves on keeping the ball.
"It's a goal...Brian Healy is so onside. He's looked along the line, Shea Gordon's playing him on, there's one or two others. I always feel the first goal is important and we got it and then he disallowed it.”
CLIFTONVILLE: Peter Morrison, Aaron Wightman, Oliver Samuels, Harry Wilson, Rory Hale, Brian Healy, Kyle McClelland, Dean McMaster, Ben Quinn, Alex Bannon, Liam McStravick. Subs: Matthew Belshaw, Daniel O’Connor, Luke Conlan, Joel Thompson, Joe Gormley, Keevan Hawthorne, Joe Sheridan.
DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Declan Dunne, John Scott, Barney McKeown, Tiernan Kelly, Keelan Dillon, Shea Gordon, Paul Doyle, Danny Wallace, Junior, Sean McAllister. Subs: Alex Henderson, Cahal McGinty, Corey Smith, Andrew Mitchell, Leo Alves, Jack Johnston, Sam Anderson.