Paddy McLaughlin reckons it can suit Cliftonville to remain in Linfield’s slipstream as the title race enters the final straight.
The Reds boss was disappointed his attack failed to fire against Larne on Saturday at Solitude, drawing 0-0 when a win would have taken them to the summit with just three games to go.
But it could have been worse for McLaughlin’s men had defender Luke Turner not produced a brilliant goal line clearance from a Davy McDaid shot or if Andrew Mitchell hadn’t fluffed a headed chance in injury-time.
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Jamie McDonagh’s fierce shot that struck the crossbar was the closest Cliftonville came but McLaughlin insists the heat remains on Linfield.
“I’d rather be the hunter than the hunted because the pressure is on the team everybody is trying to beat,” said the Derry man.
“Linfield are the league champions, everybody raises their game against them and I’m sure that’ll be the case in the next couple of games.
“The position we are in now, we’ve been in all season. We’ve been the underdog, the hunter, so we’ll deal with whatever comes our way. If Linfield slip up then hopefully we’re ready to pounce.”
Of Saturday’s draw, McLaughlin said: “When you’re playing against good sides, they can nullify your threat and we probably did the same to them.
“We’re disappointed we didn’t win the game but we understand how good Larne are so we’ll take our point and move on."
Asked if he expects the twists and turns to continue right up until the end of the season, McLaughlin said with a smile: “I just hope it twists back in our favour. A lot can happen in the next three games.”
While Cliftonville will be on their travels as they round off their campaign, McLaughlin predicts the fans will be out in droves to support their team, starting tomorrow night at Coleraine.
“It would be great if the games were at home but our away form has been excellent," he said.
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