Cliftonville will be hoping to take full advantage of Stuart King’s exit as Carrick Rangers manager, when the two sides clash this Saturday afternoon in the Sports Direct Irish Premiership, at Taylors Avenue.
There was to be no more time allowed for reflection and recuperation after yet another dismal result for Rangers in midweek, going down 1-0 to Queens University in the first round of the BetMcLean League Cup.
The knives were out, and minutes after the final whistle a statement was released by the east Antrim club stating that King had left by way of mutual consent. In all likelihood, it was a decision made before a ball was even kicked in anger.
Seven defeats in a row leading into the game was a recipe for disaster, and with American businessmen investing in the club, propping up the bottom of the table was not something they were ever going to stand for.
Things looked so much brighter on the opening day of the season, when Rangers played Glenavon off the park to claim a win and it looked like the good times were coming.
Alas, it wasn’t to be, and the only thing coming to town this weekend is a Cliftonville side desperate to get a first league win since defeating Loughgall, almost a month ago.
After a blistering start to the season, momentum has somewhat tailed off and the Reds now place fifth in the standings.
Unlike their opponents, Jim Magilton’s men did not slip up against lower-league challengers on Tuesday, instead winning out 2-0 against Limavady.
However, while Magilton may be one of football’s most popular managers, he is not beyond criticism and if they are to receive a third league defeat in a row, questions will be answered.
They have relied on veteran Joe Gormley’s goals this season, but have failed to replace the guaranteed goals that former players Ben Wilson and Ronan Hale brought to the table last year before being sold in the summer.
Rory Hale is being timidly re-introduced back into the side after an injury, but he started on Tuesday and Magilton may feel the need to start him once more on Saturday.
The Reds will take some comfort from the fact they won all three meetings between the sides last year, scoring eight goals in the process and conceding zero.
Most people will expect an away win today as the hosts look to steady the ship and place a new boss at the helm in the coming days.
