Sports Direct Premiership
Cliftonville v Larne (Friday, 7.45pm, live on BBC iPlayer & website)
CLIFTONVILLE midfielder Rory Hale hopes to unleash all his frustrations against reigning Sports Direct Premiership champions Larne at Solitude.
The Reds are flying high in the league, sitting in third position despite claiming just one win from their last four league games.
Larne are playing catch-up due to their European adventures but are on a roll domestically, having won three and drawn one of their own last four league games.
Jim Magilton enjoyed a tremendous first year as manager at Solitude, winning the Irish Cup in thrilling fashion and qualifying for the Europa Conference League.
Cliftonville were also in the mix for a tilt at the title but failed to register a single victory over rivals Linfield and Larne in eight encounters, putting the kibosh on their aspirations.
Hale (27) suffered an ankle injury playing against Larne in the Charity Shield in July that kept him out of action until recently, coming off the bench against the Blues and Ballymena United. He admits to suffering a little ring rust on his return but insists he is determined to play a major part tonight in whatever role Magilton asks him to play.
“I’m itching to get back out there,” said the midfield powerhouse.
“I was probably frustrated over the last two games because I didn’t really affect them whatsoever in the 40 minutes I’ve had in them.
“It’s also frustrating that I can’t click my fingers and get back to how sharp I was but I’m working hard and busting to get out there.
“I’m hoping to have a real influence on the game, 100%. If it’s starting the game or coming on, I’m ready to rock.
“It’s going to be difficult. We’ve had some tough games against Larne and I think we let ourselves down in big games last season against Larne and Linfield which ultimately put us out of the league title race.
“If we are to have a real crack at the league this season then we need to address that and start taking points from those teams in and around us.
“In these big games, they are won and lost in both boxes.
“Defend your box and take your chances at the other end, it’s as simple as that,” added Hale.
“One chance to win it, one chance to keep a clean sheet, whatever it may be, so if we can be solid, which I know we can be, and if we take our chances, which I know we can do as well, we’re confident we can get a result.”
Larne go into tonight’s game with a European tie away to Molde looming next week – and with the possibility that it could be Tiernan Lynch’s last game at the helm.
The double title-winning boss was approached this week by SPL club St Johnstone about their vacant managerial position following Craig Levein’s departure from the Perth outfit.
If he is offered the job – like David Healy and the Raith Rovers position, an approach the Linfield boss turned down – the north Belfast man will have much to consider but no announcement is expected before tonight’s game.
