Ronan Hale: Any cross-channel move would have to suit my growing family

Cliftonville striker Ronan Hale has been named December’s Player of the Month by the NI Football Writers’ Association

Cliftonville striker Ronan Hale believes he’s now better equipped should he return to full-time football in England or Scotland.

The 25-year-old is again on the radar of several cross-channel clubs after bagging an impressive 11 goals in 15 games across all competitions so far in the 2023/24 season.

Having formerly been on the books of Birmingham City, Derry City, Crusaders and Larne, Hale is now playing the best football of his career.

Indeed, he hit the net five times in five outings in December, which has earned him the Dream Spanish Homes Player of the Month award, nominated by the Northern Ireland Football Writers’ Association.

Although the rumour mill has been in overdrive recently, Hale — grandson of former Crues and Derry striker Danny — insists he’ll keep his head down to help the Reds maintain their push at the top end of the Sports Direct Premiership table.

“I don’t know a lot, only what has appeared on Twitter,” he said of the latest transfer speculation. “I read like everyone else that there was interest from across the water.

“I suppose there is no such thing as bad publicity. To be honest, I haven’t heard anything personally. I haven’t a clue where it has come from, I’m totally in the dark.

“It’s one of those situations, I’ll just get on with what I’m doing. I suppose it shows that I’ve been doing well for the team, but I’m happy enough at Cliftonville, it’s brilliant to be playing for my boyhood club.”

Ronan was at Birmingham as a teenager and went on: “My brother Rory was also at Aston Villa, the two big teams in the city.

“I loved it, but I had a bit of home sickness. I had a young baby