Gray looking for Reds to get back on track after Coleraine defeat

BARRY Gray insists Cliftonville will carry no hangover into today’s clash with Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park, despite suffering their first defeat in seven games last weekend.

The Reds were edged out by table-toppers Coleraine in a cagey affair at Solitude.

To compound matters, midfielder Liam Bagnall picked up two quick-fire yellow cards in the closing minutes, which means he’ll have only a spectators’ role in today’s clash.

Gray reckons his team can use the defeat as a motivation to go on another unbeaten run.

He said: “In many ways, I’m looking forward to this match. “They are a well-organised team, Rodney (McAree) always has them set up well.

“They have enjoyed some good results and are sitting just outside the top six. They like to get the ball down and play, so that will suit us.

“It will be different because most teams play more direct, Dungannon like to play football.

“We’ll not be feeling sorry for ourselves. We had chances to get back into the game against Coleraine, but we just couldn’t put them away.”

With Bagnall missing, Gray will be forced into a reshuffle across the middle of the park.

He added: “I’m not overly concerned as we are well covered for players in that position.

“I’ve always said we are work in progress and we’ll have setbacks from time to time.

“The important thing is how we react to them.”