OPERATION VENGEANCE

Baxter’s men have Reds in their sights after THAT cup humbling at Solitude

MANAGER Stephen Baxter insists Crusaders have nothing to prove in today’s crunch league showdown with North Belfast rivals Cliftonville at Solitude.

The Crues return to the scene of the crime, having been unceremoniously dumped out of the Irish Cup three weeks ago.

Although Baxter is reluctant to use the term ‘revenge’, that defeat will certainly be the topic of his team talk before kick-off.

The Shore Road boys have responded in a positive manner, unbeaten since that traumatic experience.

And, they bared their title teeth in midweek by hammering in six goals at third-place Glenavon – a victory that catapulted them five points clear in the Danske Bank Premiership table.

Baxter labels today’s showdown as ‘just another game’ but he’s aware of the significance of such a high-profile occasion in terms of his team’s Gibson Cup credentials.

“People keep going on about our defeat there a few weeks back, but that game has gone,” he said. “We’ll be going there with nothing to prove. We’ll be looking for three points, as we do in every league game.

“We are looking forward to it. It’s always a big challenge – derby matches always have that little bit of extra spice. In fact, games against any team in this division is a big test. Cliftonville are an excellent side with bags of scoring potential. They beat us in the cup convincingly last month, so we have to go up there and be at our best.”

Baxter’s boys go into the match in the best possible shape following that demolition at Lurgan on Tuesday.

“It was as good as I’ve seen from us for a while,” added Baxter. “That type of performance has been brewing for a few weeks now, we’ve been playing really well.

“But it’s only one game of football. We must remain focused. There are so many points to play for.

“We’ll certainly not be getting above our station. But any win at this stage of the season is a big win. We’ve got to continue to get those points. Every game is important. We go from Mourneview Park to Solitude – we’ll take them as they come.

“You can’t afford to rest on your laurels in this league, regardless of the opposition. You can’t take you eye off the ball – look what happened in the Irish Cup last weekend when Loughgall defeated Glenavon.

“No one would have predicted that result. It’s the same in the league. Every team is out to get you when you are in our position. We have just got to get on with it and hope that our best is good enough.

“There are a lot of capable teams in this league, but every game is there to be won.”