REDS ARE RYAN HIGH RIGHT NOW

Portadown 1 Cliftonville 2

PADDY MCLAUGHLIN believes Cliftonville have a “superb” penalty box predator in Ryan Curran, who shot the Reds to a top-six finish with a quickfire brace at Portadown on Saturday.

The versatile forward struck twice in six first half minutes to help seal three crucial points and register his best scoring tally with the north Belfast club.

Curran’s second at Shamrock Park, a rifled finish after a slick one-two with Michael Mccrudden, was his 16th goal in all competitions, one better than last year.

Portadown hit back through Ben Tilney, but it wasn’t enough to stop Cliftonville guaranteeing a top six finish and European playoff – at least – with two games to spare before the split.

“Ryan has been top drawer,” said Mclaughlin, who praised the 27-year-old for filling the “void” left by talisman Joe Gormley whose season was ended by a broken arm in January.

“Ryan has chopped and changed his strike partner – he started with Joe, then it was Paul O’neill and now Michael – but his performances never change.

“Michael has been up top beside Ryan the last couple of games and the two of them have linked up really well.”

Curran (above), who stabbed home the opener on 27 minutes before adding a second in the

33rd, is now one of the leading goalscorers in the Premiership.

Only Linfeld’s Shayne Lavery (21 goals) has scored more this season, with Glentoran striker Jay Donnelly level with him on 16.

“He has been phenomenal,” said Mclaughlin. “When Joe got injured, it was a massive loss, taking away the goal threat that he carried, but Ryan has taken on that mantle.

“He’s one of the leading marksmen in the division and is having his best season in terms of goal scoring return and there are seven league games and the Irish Cup still to play.

“He has been brilliant for us and long may it continue.”