CLIFTONVILLE manager Jim Magilton was certainly not expecting a North Belfast derby to pop up as the opening game of the season, but that is what the NIFL fixture list threw up.
The Reds host Crusaders at Solitude in the league curtain-raiser on Friday evening (7.45 kick-off) and it is a fixture Magilton is very much relishing.
“It’s a tough game, derbies are always notoriously tough,” he reflected. “You don’t expect one in the opening game of the season but it is certainly one that we’re going to relish as will Crusaders and Declan [Caddell].
“Friday night is obviously a TV game and it should be a bumper crowd with lots of excitement.
“For us, home advantage is very important. We’ve got to go out there and try and win the game and hopefully set the standards for the season and be ruthless.
“We’ve to try and play on the front foot and show that emotional control. The derby brings that emotion, but we need to stay disciplined and try and win the game”.
Brian Healy is a doubt for Friday's fixture after sustaining a cut to his foot during the pre-season campaign and Magilton insists his side are still active in the market.
“Brian Healy sustained a really nasty cut and he is touch and go whether or not to be fit for Crusaders,” Magilton revealed. “Obviously we’ve lost one or two. We’re still very much in the market and we’re still very much looking. Centre forward is a priority now for us.
“The other pieces of business we’ve done. The players have settled in extremely well and we’re happy with them. Obviously one or two are still trying to get fit and overall we’re pleased”.
With a high turnover of players each summer, the Reds boss explained that length of contracts is something that is important as they try to maintain a settled squad each summer.
“It is what it is and we have to deal with that. Players are ambitious, they move on and it is up to us to make sure we have recruitment in place and players lined up.
“The summer is always difficult as well because obviously teams in England and Scotland are away, they’ve longer breaks.
“When they come in, young players are still being assessed by managers and it’s hard to get loans in.
“All in all, we’re happy. Obviously, we’re looking still to recruit. We need attacking options, we need centre forwards in the building."
One player that is hoping to make a mark this season is Rhyss Campbell. The former Dungannon Swifts and Coleraine attacker was signed last summer but suffered a season-ending ACL injury two games into the season and Magilton is backing him to show the fans what they missed out on last season.
“Nobody is more determined to be a success at the club than Rhyss so that is important,” Magilton acknowledged. “He has worked extremely hard. It has been a horrendous time for him, given that he has been out for so long.
“That plays on resilience and character and it asks an awful lot of questions of you. He’s back and getting sharper with every game and he’s looking forward to the season.
“Our fans were robbed of the opportunity of seeing him. We were very excited at getting him in, and unfortunately the ACL picked him up and finished him for the season. Now he is determined and we’re looking forward to seeing how he does this year."
