Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin has told his players to park their title frustrations and focus on the scramble for the last-eight of the Irish Cup.
The Reds conducted a lengthy inquest following last week’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Ballymena United at the Warden Street Showgrounds.
The Solitude men had led 2-0 and looked destined for three precious away points, only for David Jeffrey’s Sky Blues to hit back with goals in the 88th and 92nd minutes.
McLaughlin branded the result “sickening” as Cliftonville passed up on the opportunity to cut the gap on Glentoran and Linfield at the league summit.
But he’s determined to put last week’s woes behind him as Cliftonville prepare to face Carrick Rangers twice in two different competitions in four days.
Saturday’s quarter-final at the Loughview Leisure Arena is followed by a Danske Bank Premiership clash at the same venue on Tuesday night.
“It’s always tough when you’re playing the same team twice inside a few days, but we’ll take the cup tie first and be fully concentrated on that,” said McLaughlin.
“You don’t want to be thinking about league points when you have a cup tie to play and that’s where our focus will be.
“Carrick is always a difficult place to go because they are a really hard working team, they’re honest and they’re also good at home.
“I think it’ll be a typical cup tie, probably end-to-end at times and it’ll be tough, but it’s important we dust ourselves down after the Ballymena result and get back on our feet.”
Despite surrendering a 2-0 lead at the Showgrounds, Cliftonville are still in the title mix, just four points off Linfield in second and six below leaders Glentoran with 13 games left.
“It was two points dropped at Ballymena, but it’s not the end of the world and there are plenty more points to be won in the league,” said McLaughlin.
“It was a sickener but I believe we will learn lessons and come back stronger. We’ve had a full week to prepare for Carrick and it’s a chance to bounce back.”
SATURDAY’S SECOND ROUND TIES
- Ballinamallard United v Crusaders
- Ballymena United v Portstewart
- Carrick Rangers v Cliftonville
- Coleraine v Portadown
- Dungannon Swifts v Annagh United
- Queen’s University v Glentoran (1.30pm).
