Find a consistent edge and we’ll be right in the
CLIFTONVILLE manager Barry Gray’s message is a very simple one — we’re going for the title.
In many quarters the Reds will be viewed as dark horses in the Championship race but a quiet confidence can be detected at Solitude.
The north Belfast side were too inconsistent last season to sustain a challenge for the prize they captured in 2013 and 2014.
And Rory Donnelly’s early suspension is a headache Gray can Manager: Barry Gray
Captain: Ryan Catney
Last season: Fifth
INS: Ryan Curran, Conor McMenamin, Damien McNulty, Richard Brush
OUTS: Jude Winchester, Tomas Cosgrove, Jason Mooney, Gary Donnelly, Daniel Reynolds
do without but there’s no questioning the quality the former Warrenpoint Town manager has in his squad.
Joe Gormley is the ultimate match-winner and predator while captain marvel Ryan Catney is back to offer energy and bite in midfield.
And while the spotlight will be firmly fixed on champions Crusaders, Coleraine and even Glenavon, the Solitude aces can slip under the radar and stay in touch with the pacesetters.
It’s taken time for Gray to put his managerial stamp on the squad but the getting to know you period is over. The Irish Cup final loss to Coleraine was a bitter pill to swallow but the same painful experience a year earlier lifted the Bannsiders to new heights. So can Cliftonville take inspiration from their rivals in the north west?
The players will be left in no doubt as to what is expected.
“The title is the No.1 target, we are all chasing the same dream,” said Gray. “We will think that we can close that gap but so will our title rivals. We won’t lower our expectations because we want to challenge for the title. Can we do that? Only time will tell.”
So, can Coleraine’s title surge and Irish Cup success offer inspiration following a dose of knockout pain?