THE BUZZ RETURNS FOR REDS

Breen: We showed great character & now we must build on it

LAST gasp Cliftonville hero Garry Breen hopes Saturday’s dramatic win over champions Linfield acts as a catalyst for the remainder of the season.

The Blues led 2-0 until the 79th minute thanks to an Aaron Burns brace before three goals in 12 breathless minutes turned the game on its head.

Chris Curran and Jay Donnelly levelled matters in the 80th and 85th minutes, before Breen headed home a remarkable winner in added time.

It was a statement win for the Reds who had been pawing for form under new boss Barry Gray earlier in the season.

Breen, said: “Hopefully this kickstarts us and answers questions there were about the fight we have.

“There are probably p people out there who t think Cliftonville don’t h have the character they s should, but we showed a l ot of character on Saturday.S

“To come back from 2 2-0 down against any t team is a great win, but t to do it against th e c champions is unbelieva able. At the same time, we knowk we haveh to build on this.

“You can’t do it against Linfield and just be happy about it. We have to back it up and take that attitude into our next games.”

On Cliftonville’s faltering start to the campaign – Gray’s men secured just one win in their opening five league games – Breen said: “We felt we let ourselves down.

“Not just the manager and his staff but everyone at the club, fans included. With the players we have, we shouldn’t be where we are in the table.

“But we’ve won our last three games in all competitions now and it feels as if there has been a bit of a turnaround. There’s a buzz about the place.”

Burns stabbed Linfield ahead on 15 minutes before adding a second in the 69th from the penalty spot.

The Reds looked down and out.

But two goals in five minutes – a drilled effort into the bottom corner from Curran and a clinical Donnelly header had the Solitude men level with time running out.

Breen stole the headlines in the 92nd minute when he pounced to glance a close range header past Roy

Carroll from yet another Curran cross.

Blues boss David Healy said: “It was very surprising to see us collapse and I’ll take the blame for it because I pick the team.

“We were 2-0 up probably against the run of play. You always hope you’ll go on and see the game out, but we didn’t. We crumbled.”

COMEBACK COMPLETE Gary Breen and his team mates celebrate his winner at Solitude