Linfield star Matthew Clarke is embracing the tension created by the enthralling race to claim the Gibson Cup this season.
And the 28-year-old admits there’s no hiding place when the heat is on but he insists he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Saturday saw another gripping chapter written in the quest to be champions as Linfield and Larne played out an intense, goalless stalemate at Windsor Park, while across the city, rivals Cliftonville fought back heroically to claim a 3-3 draw with Crusaders at Seaview.
Read more: Irish Premiership title race going to the wire after Linfield and Cliftonville draws
It means the Reds - who travel to play Glentoran on the final day - need to better Linfield’s result at home to Coleraine next Saturday if they are to wrest the crown from the champions.
But while the finish line is in sight for the Blues, Clarke claims it’s pointless trying to put the blinkers on in the home straight.
“We could definitely feel the tension,” he said after the draw with Larne.
“Going by the cheers of our support we could tell that Crusaders were 3-1 up. Then after two cheers from the Larne fans we recognised quickly it was 3-3!
“But we just tried to look after ourselves on the pitch.
“It was another tough game, all the games after the split are as tough as they come, especially when you’re chasing the league title and you’re up against quality opposition like Larne.
“It’s still in our hands for next week, it’s down to us, simple as that.
“There’ll be pressure and tension, no doubt about it. But as a footballer you want to be challenging for league titles and that’s what this football club is built on.
“Second place is simply not good enough here.”
Blues boss David Healy also refused to downplay the need to react to the fluid on-field situations as he chases his fourth Gibson Cup in a row.
“Sometimes when people are holding fingers up at you in the South Stand, it’s not a good thing,” he quipped.
“But when people are holding fingers up for different scorelines then you start thinking about what’s going on.
“It’s hard not to be distracted. You have to know what’s happening because you might need to change things so there was a little bit of edginess and tension.
“We probably just didn’t do enough to win.”
Looking at the bigger picture, Healy feels this season’s drama has been a riposte to anyone who questions the quality produced by the local game.
“The sponsors have got their value for next week.
“The BBC, who are still mugging everybody off, have their full value next week.
“It’s all to play for. May the best team go and win it. It’s been a hell of a shoot-out.”
Read more: Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin insists Reds are still in title race and 'never beaten'
Read more: Glentoran lose arbitration case over Irish Cup expulsion
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