McLaughlin insists no-one is leaving Stute
INSTITUTE manager Paddy McLaughlin insists that captain Michael McCrudden will not be leaving the club in January despite growing interest in the striker.
Rather than lose their biggest name player, Institute are determined to persuade him to sign a new contract.
McLaughlin and the club have already done smart business this month by agreeing 18-month extensions with Dean Curry, Ronan Doherty, Colm McLaughlin, Caoimhin Bonner and Aaron Jarvis to their current deals.
The future of McCrudden, who has scored an impressive 10 league goals this season, is also on the agenda, with Coleraine linked to a move for the front man.
“I’m sure there are other clubs keen on him because he has been Wanted man: Institute captain Michael McCrudden
top drawer for us, though hopefully we can get Michael sorted next,” said McLaughlin.
“He is one of the top scorers in the league and I’m not surprised there would be interest in him, but I’m adamant there are no players leaving the club in January.”
Institute unluckily lost 3-2 at Crusaders and drew 3-3 at Glenavon in their previous two league matches, but tomorrow Glentoran are the visitors to the Brandywell.
“It is great to see Glentoran coming back to the Brandywell to play in the Irish League,” said McLaughlin, well aware that victory would see ’Stute leapfrog the Glens into seventh in the table.
“We are looking forward to welcoming them but hopefully we can get three points. We understand they have quality players and, maybe a bit like ourselves, have been playing well recently but haven’t got the wins to back up their performances.
“We were delighted with the two performances we put in away to two title contenders. The work-rate and quality on the ball in the last two matches has been fantastic but it is all about getting points on the board.
“It is a tough league and we have to be playing at the top of our game all the time to do that.” CLIFTONVILLE boss Barry Gray is hoping the pain of last season’s Irish Cup final defeat to Coleraine will drive the Reds on to success in the competition this season.
The Solitude club have not lifted the Irish Cup since 1979 and believed they would finally triumph 39 years on, only for the Bannsiders to win 3-1 in a gripping decider.
“Would we love to be there in the final on the last day of the season? Yes, and this time we’d like to win it,” said Gray.
“Our pain of last season will hopefully give us that extra bit of motivation.”
Gray joked that winning the Cup 40 years on from the last time had a better ring to it than 39. To give themselves a chance, Cliftonville must overcome Dun- Premier pairing: Dungannon Swifts’ Kris Lindsay and Barry Gray of Cliftonville
gannon Swifts at home in next month’s fifth round.
Gray’s men beat the Tyrone outfit 5-1 in the league last weekend but lost to Dungannon on penalties in the League Cup last month.
“The two teams are very familiar with each other. Obviously every manager in the Premiership would like a side outside the top flight. We didn’t get it, but home advantage is massive for us given our form so far this season,” said Gray.
“To a certain degree maybe it will keep people focused. If you draw one of the junior teams, players can easily take their eye off the ball, as Glenavon learnt (against Loughgall) last season.
“We are confident, but we also know Dungannon can do what they did to us in the League Cup, so we have to stay concentrated on what we are good at.”
Tomorrow, in the league, third placed Glenavon travel to Cliftonville, who once again will be without Jay Donnelly.
Gray added: “We put in one of our best performances of the season so far against Dungannon and we want to build on that against Glenavon in what is a massive match. We must go into the game with the same focus and desire and look for another win.”