Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton: We’ve had a setback, but I expect us to bounce back

Linfield's Ethan McGee and Cliftonville's Ronan Hale come to blows during Tuesday night's clash at Solitude

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton expects a reaction from his players

Jim Magilton says that Cliftonville’s players have no reason to doubt themselves despite a “chastening” defeat to Linfield.

The Blues rocked up to Solitude and registered three unanswered goals on Tuesday night to leapfrog the Reds in the Sports Direct Premiership and inflict a serious dent in the hosts’ title challenge.

As Linfield bounced back from a 3-0 reverse of their own against Coleraine last time out, Cliftonville had not previously lost a League game since the opening week in November and it’s that undefeated sequence that Magilton wants them to take confidence from as they plot their next step.

“Let’s be very honest here – this group of players has been magnificent,” declared the Reds boss after seeing his side miss the chance to climb top of the table.

“We’ve had a setback. Linfield had a setback on Friday night and bounced back. Well, I expect a similar response in terms of our character and resilience. They’ve been down that road many times and have shown that. We’re going to be asked questions and we have to stand up and be counted.

“There’s no reason for us to start doubting ourselves, no reason whatsoever. This was a night where you’re playing against a very good, experienced side who were hurting and we had a wonderful opportunity but we didn’t take it. They nullified our threat and came out with a little bit more themselves and were deserved winners.”

Magilton admitted he had hoped that a half-time discussion would spark his team into life but, when the Blues took advantage of defensive hesitancy early in the second period, the