Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin says shockwaves will reverberate around the Irish League if Linfield slip up in their quest to get across the title line this afternoon.
David Healy’s Blues, who welcome Coleraine to Windsor Park, boast a narrow one point lead over the Solitude men who travel to face Glentoran at the BetMcLean Oval.
A fascinating league climax awaits but McLaughlin insists all the “pressure and expectation” will be on Linfield to deliver in front of their home fans.
Read more: Barry Johnston offers final-day conundrum for Linfield as he makes title prediction
“People will be a lot more shocked if we win the title and Linfield lose it,” he said. “The demands are there for Linfield and those are the conditions they work under.
“I don’t think we’re under any pressure at all. From day one, there was no expectation on us and we have upset the odds and ripped up the form book.
“Everybody was saying we would struggle to finish in the top six and we have taken it to the last day.
“If anyone’s under any pressure.. Linfield can’t afford to slip up. They are also at home and sometimes in front of your own fans it can be nervy if things aren’t going your way.
“We can only focus on what we can do. We have to focus on our result against Glentoran and if we deliver, you never know what could happen.”
With Linfield boasting a superior goal difference, Cliftonville need to take all three points in East Belfast and hope the Blues draw or lose to Coleraine.
“We have chased Linfield all season, taken it to the very last day and we have to be ready to pounce if they slip up,” said McLaughlin.
“It’ll be a tough game at the Oval but Coleraine are going to Windsor Park and they’ll have the freedom to go and express themselves.
“This season’s title race has been a great advertisement for the Irish League and you never know what can happen at this late stage of the season.”
Whatever happens in south and east Belfast, McLaughlin believes his players deserve immense credit for being THE surprise package of the season.
At the start of the season, The Reds, who lifted the BetMcLean League Cup last month, weren’t expected to be in the same postal code as a title challenge.
“The players have been unbelievable all season and I believe they have been the best side in the division for large parts of the campaign against all odds,” he said.
“They have been phenomenal in their drive and their play and to take the title race to the final day with the (part-time) structure we have at the club is unbelievable.”
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