'No pressure' on Ports in Reds cup game - Currie

Currie's side are hoping to reach the Irish Cup semi-finals having already booked their place in the BetMcLean Cup decider

Portadown boss Niall Currie says there is "no pressure" on his side going into Friday's Irish Cup quarter-final match with Cliftonville.

They are also chasing top-flight promotion while the Reds are aiming to bounce back after two defeats in a row.

"It's a free hit really for us," said Currie.

"It's at our place, we always think anything at our place, we have a chance.

"But we're realistic about situations. We need to make sure we're at our very, very best and if we're at our very, very best we can cause teams some serious problems."

Currie, who will be without Douglas Wilson and Jack Henderson through suspension, added: "Our main focus, as always, is making sure we're at our levels. If we're at our levels, we'll give Cliftonville a game.

"But they're meant to come on Friday night and do us over so no pressure on us, we'll play with freedom and as along as we're at our levels we'll be OK."

Portadown, who will face Linfield in the League Cup decider at Windsor Park on 10 March, beat Carrick Rangers on penalties before seeing off Bangor to set up Friday's Irish Cup encounter with Cliftonville.

The Reds have not won the Irish Cup since 1979 and need a win to reverse their recent dip in form with back-to-back league defeats by Linfield and Dungannon Swifts dealing a major blow to title hopes.

Speaking after his side's loss at Stangmore Park on Saturday, Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton praised Portadown's "outstanding" cup form.

"They haven't lost a cup game," said Magilton, who said his side showed a "distinct lack of conviction" against the Swifts.

"They've been absolutely outstanding. They're going to play in a League Cup final and they won the Mid Ulster Cup so their cup form has been so good.

"We're going to be in for a real tough game."