Reds will put on a performance Tommy would have

CLIFTONVILLE skipper Chris Curran wants do his former boss proud in today’s Danske Bank Premiership opener against Coleraine at the Ballycastle Road Showgrounds.

Tommy Breslin died suddenly while on holiday in Spain on Wednesday, which rocked the north Belfast club to its foundations.

Tributes have poured in for the man who became Cliftonville’s most successful manager, leading them to back-to-back title wins. In fact, he pocketed a total of eight trophies in his fouryear reign with the Reds.

Curran now wants the players to pay their own tribute by putting on a performance against the Bannsiders — one that Tommy( right) would be proud of.

“The news of Tommy’s passing came as a shock to everyone,” he said. “Everyone at the club is hurting at the moment. Our thoughts are with Tommy’s family and his loved ones. Manager: Paddy McLaughlin

Captain: Chris Curran

Last season’s finish: Fifth.

Players out: Ross Lavery.

Players in: Ronan Doherty, Ronan Wilson, Conor McDermott, Seanna Foster.

“Tommy brought me to the club after the 2012-13 title win. I will always be grateful to him... I’m so lucky that he signed me because it has been brilliant for me ever since.

“My first game was against Celtic in the Champions League. He was such a bubbly character, he always had a smile on his face. It was infectious. He could change the atmosphere in a room very quickly.

“I always remember when we lost a game, he would be the one person the following night at training to lift everyone’s spirits again, should it have been with a cheeky grin, a quick one-liner or an off-the-cuff remark.

“That was one of Tommy strengths. He was a players’ manager... he was the type of person