'Lethargic' Reds bounced back after 'stern conversation'

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton revealed that it required "a stern conversation" in the home dressing room at half-time for his side to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 4-2 win over Glenavon.

"The players have been magnificent this year and we just fell short of those standards," reflected Magilton.

"All the things we have been given lots of credit for we were poor at."

• Larne win to extend lead at top as Cliftonville move second

James Doona's goal had Glenavon in front at the break, but two goals in three minutes at the start of the second half from Rory Hale and Sam Ashford edged the north Belfast Reds in front.

A Matthew Snoddy strike got the Lurgan Blues back on level terms but a double from Joe Gormley, his first a penalty and the second an exquisite lob, ensured three points for Magilton's side and extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 16 games.

'Lethargic Reds needed re-jig'

"They [the players] definitely needed it [a rollicking] today. They were very lethargic. We needed to re-jig and we needed a very stern conversation about the standards we have set," the Reds boss explained on Sportsound on BBC Sounds.

"It was a reminder that we had to play with more intensity. We had to get closer to people, we had to pass the ball better.

"You have to credit the opposition though, I thought Glenavon were absolutely outstanding. They passed the ball really well and we didn't get to grips with that. I thought we were very slow out of the blocks and they capitalised on that.

"If you give good players time and space on the ball then they're going to hurt you. I thought they were fully deserved of their 1-0 half-time lead.

"Once we had those conversations we changed the shape, we got higher up the pitch and managed to move the ball very well and scored two great goals before we conceded a really sloppy one.

"Even at 3-2 you want to kill the game. Joe was so bright. It was a magnificent finish [for the fourth goal] from a magnificent player.

"We found a way and that comes down to the character and resilience of the players.

Joe Gormley's two second-half goals proved decisive against Glenavon

'Linfield game one we should relish'

The result saw Cliftonville move one point ahead of Linfield in the league table with the sides set to meet at Solitude in a key encounter on Tuesday night.

The Reds have lost both their previous league games against David Healy's side this season.

"We have to play better over 90 minutes or we will get punished by a very good team," said Magilton of the forthcoming mid-week meeting.

"We are in this position because the players have been fantastic in their levels of consistency, they've been top class in how they go about their business, so Tuesday night is a game that we should relish."