CLIFTONVILLE manager Jim Magilton believes that tonight's Toal’s County Antrim Shield semi-final is set up perfectly.
The Reds host Bangor at Solitude on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm) hoping to make it back to the Shield Final that they lost on penalties to Carrick Rangers in January.
The Seasiders jumped off the bottom of the Boyles Sports Premiership with their first away win of the season to Ballymena United on Saturday.
Although Magilton believes Lee Feeney’s charges will take great confidence from their victory at Warden Street, he also feels his side are reaping the benefits from their recent run of four wins in five.
“Bangor are going to go into it on the back of a great result,” Magilton acknowledged.
“It sets it up perfectly for it. It is a semi-final, anything can happen on the night. We are ready and we are confident.
“It’s four in five that we have won, and I'm delighted for the players. They have worked extremely hard and they are reaping the dividends of that now, and we’ve got to keep it going".
The Reds boss was pleased with many elements of his side's display in their 7-1 weekend win over Carrick Rangers and credited the players for executing their instructions.
“It’s something that we work on,” he reflected.
“It’s something that we have identified within the group, and when it happens it is obviously wonderful for the players.
“More importantly, it is about players. They cross the white line and they’ve got to perform. Today they did, and now we dust ourselves down- it goes into the history books- now we’ve got to go again”.
Although Magilton was unhappy with the sloppy goal that his side conceded, he was pleased with the spread of goals and the return of Ryan Corrigan after a year out with an ACL injury.
“It’s a sloppy goal from us,” admited Magilton.
“It’s a malaise that has happened quite often this year, and it is something that we have to get out of our game, but overall- obviously it is a very pleasing result.
“It is good that people have scored goals. Rhyss Campbell scoring two goals, Brian Healy scoring another two goals. Those are important aspects of our game and important players for us.
“Ryan Corrigan coming back on the pitch is fantastic for him. A fantastic young player that came through a year after an ACL injury, getting him minutes was important and he gives us something coming off the bench."
