Sean O'Neill: Crusaders only concentrating on 'blood and thunder' north Belfast derby amid crucial week
Sean O’Neill admits this week marks a crucial period for Crusaders but the Hatchetmen are solely focused on their first assignment against Cliftonville.
Crusaders welcome their north Belfast rivals to Seaview and then host Glenavon on Saturday as they aim to pick up points in their battle to avoid relegation.
Declan Caddell’s side are only three points ahead of bottom-placed Glenavon, whilst five points now separate them and Ballymena United, who are 10th in the table.
O’Neill joined the coaching staff at Crusaders at the start of the new year and whilst he admits he is “enjoying” something different, he knows they need to start getting results on the board to erase fears of relegation.
Crusaders were not in action last weekend after being eliminated from the Irish Cup at the fifth-round stage and O’Neill says they have been working hard on the training pitch to turn around their fortunes.
He said: “Becoming a coach has opened my eyes as I didn’t realise there is so much work that goes into it.
"I know the work that Declan puts in but we could do with getting results and we know that.
"We’ve worked incredibly hard at training and we managed to get a bit more time last Saturday to work on tactical stuff ahead of the Cliftonville game.
"Of course, we would have rather been playing in the Irish Cup but that’s gone and we know we have a massive week ahead.
"We haven’t even spoken about the Glenavon game to be honest with you. We know it’s coming up but Tuesday night is massive for us.
"Once 10pm comes on Tuesday night, then our thoughts will turn to Glenavon but we’ve prepared well for our first game against Cliftonville.”
O’Neill is no stranger to the north Belfast derby after having made 365 appearances for the Hatchetmen during a decade-long tenure as a player.
But what is it about the derby that makes it so special?
O’Neill replied: “It’s complete blood and thunder.
"I know in recent years both clubs have had managerial changes and they now have a different style of play but there are still bits and pieces that happen that get the blood boiling.
"To be honest, at times like this I wish I was still involved as a player as it’s such a fantastic fixture.
"We know Cliftonville are a good side and have continuously had success under Jim (Magilton) and Skin (Gerard Lyttle), who have been about the league for a while now.
"They are a strong, young side, a bit like ourselves, so it has the makings for a good game. They have good players like Rory Hale and Josh Kelly, who I know from my time at Ballymena, but we have good players as well.”
Cliftonville reached the semi-final of the Irish Cup last weekend after a 3-0 success against Loughgall. The Reds will now take on Dungannon Swifts in a repeat of last year’s final for a spot in the showpiece decider.
Magilton’s men are currently locked in a battle with Carrick Rangers for a top-six spot, with Cliftonville holding a three point advantage and with two games in hand.