Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
To extend my career I may have to leave my beloved Reds
SOLITUDE STALWART RYAN CATNEY CONTEMPLATES LIFE AFTER CLIFTONVILLE
FANS favourite Ryan Catney is hoping to hold talks with Cliftonville to determine if he still has a future with the North Belfast club.
The long serving midfielder, who has spent the past 12 years with the Reds, is out of contract in the summer and has yet to be offered a new deal.
It remains to be seen where Catney, who is eager to play on after making a successful return from an horrific leg leg break in August, ends up next season.
But with only 11 weeks of the campaign left, the 31-year-old – who turns 32 this Sunday – can’t rule out a fond farewell to Solitude.
“I’ve been in the game long enough to know that you have to prepare for all eventualities,” said Catney.
“I want to play on but I also have a young family to think about, so wherever next season takes me, it has to be right for me and them.” Catney accepts new Reds boss Paddy Mclaughlin, who replaced the departed Barry Gray last week, may opt to shake up his squad in the summer.
New midfield arrivals Aaron Harkin and Niall Grace both started Saturday’s 1-0 win over Newry City.
“I’m a Cliftonville fan,” said Catney, who was on the bench against City. “Of course, I’d love to help the club push on, but I’d also have no issues if Paddy wants to freshen things up.
“I’ve been here 12 years, I’ve been a loyal servant and I’ve loved my time at Solitude, but I’d be the first to say there’s no one person bigger than the club.”
Catney, who has won two league titles, four League Cups and three Shields during his time at Cliftonville, is eager to continue his playing career.
“Absolutely,” he said. “I’m 32 this weekend, but I’ve played 25 games since coming back from the leg break and it’s the fittest I’ve felt in a long time.
“I was determined to prove I could get back to the level I was at before I suffered my leg break (in January 2017) and I believe I’ve done that. I’m feeling fresh and I still believe I have a lot to offer.”
Catney, who has played under five Reds managers since joining the club from Distillery in 2007, is eager to help Cliftonville end the campaign on a relative high.
“We still have the Europa League playoffs to target and as a club it’s important we try and climb the table and finish strongly,” he said.
I want to play on but I also have a young family to think about so wherever next season takes me, it has to be right for me and them