'Winner takes all' - Coleraine and Reds ready for Euro showdown
Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton says that he is going to "ask" his players for one more big performance as they take on Coleraine in Sunday's European play-off final.The Reds bounced back from their Irish Cup final defeat against Dungannon Swifts to beat Glentoran 2-0 at the Oval on Wednesday in the play-off semi-final.They will now face Coleraine in the final at the Showgrounds after the Bannsiders overcame Crusaders 1-0 in their semi-final.Magilton is hopeful the Reds can end a difficult campaign on a high and secure European football for a second successive season."Given the season that we've had, it's an unbelievable group of players that have shown resolve," he said."We lost a teammate [defender Michael Newberry died suddenly in December]. We won a League Cup, we lost an Irish Cup on penalties and then we've had to win away at the Oval, which is always a difficult place to come. "I can only commend the players, their attitude and their application. Now we go to Coleraine and it's winner takes all."
Bannsiders hope to make home advantage count
The Reds boss added that if his side managed to qualify for Europe, it would be one of the club's "great achievements"."We know it will be a huge task, lots of good players, new manager and we tend to like to do things the hard way, so we'll be ready, as will Coleraine."Coleraine have failed to beat Cliftonville in three league meetings this season, with the Reds winning once and the other two ending in draws.Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins, who won his first game in charge against Crues, is hopeful the new manager bounce can continue for his side on Sunday.Coleraine are looking to secure European football for the first time since 2022 and will hope to make home advantage count."It would be a brilliant achievement if we could secure it [European football]," he added."Obviously, we're playing against a really good side in Cliftonville, but we'll be ready and looking forward to it."We're home again, so, fingers crossed we can put in a really good performance."
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