Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton says his team must be up for the challenge of facing a “top-class” Larne side at Inver Park on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).
The Reds’ recent eight-game unbeaten run in the league was ended by a 2-1 defeat by Crusaders at Solitude on Boxing Day, their sixth loss of the season.
Advertisement
They now face a trip to the league leaders, who are unbeaten in their last 11 league games and Magilton is urging his players to show a response to their disappointing display against the Crues on Friday.
“Larne are a top-class side and we know going down there it is always a difficult game; we have to be ready and match them and come out with a bit more,” he told BBC Sport NI.
“One thing you can never be done on is work ethic, attitude, and application – and [on Boxing Day], we were.”
Advertisement
Magilton has demanded more from his side than they showed at Solitude against the Crues as they aim to get back to winning ways and stay in the top six.
“We didn’t work hard enough without the ball or with it. We were nowhere near our levels; we looked lethargic and there were a lot of poor performances [on Friday],” he added.
“We have to lick our wounds and go again, that wasn’t acceptable.”
