MCLAUGHLIN: NOW LET’S GET DOWN TO SOME HARD WORK

PADDY Mclaughlin can’t wait to swap his club tie for the Solitude dugout after being unveiled as new Cliftonville manager last night.

After meeting with the media, the 39-year-old, who has departed

Institute to take up the reins of the North Belfast club, made a beeline for the training pitch.

“Once the pleasantries are out of the way, I want to get straight to work,” he said.

Mclaughlin, who will be assisted by Brian Donaghy and Conleth Mccrudden, will be in the dugout for Saturday’s home clash with Newry City.

And the former Derry City defender hopes to hit the ground running as he bids to revive the fortunes of a team.

A run of just one win in eight outings games contributed to the end of Barry Gray’s 20-month reign as manager a fortnight ago.

“The target is to win matches as soon as possible and get more points on the board,” said Mclaughlin (above).

“Up until now, they have done well enough, but we could do better. We’re not here in holiday mode or to see out the rest of the season.

“I want to see improvement, not only in performances but also in results.

“It’s important we get back to winning games and maintaining high standards.

“We want to climb as many places as we can in the table.”

Mclaughlin admits it was a “big decision” to leave Institute, where he won the Championship last season, but added: “This was too good an opportunity to turn down.

“It was a massive incentive to join a club the size of Cliftonville and to work the some of the best players of the league.”