Cliftonville FC's thrilling 2-0 win over Crusaders on Friday night saw Dean McMaster step up to take a crucial free-kick, doubling the Reds' advantage. McMaster admits he'd piled the pressure on himself to deliver, but what did his teammates tell him before the strike?
What happened?
Dean McMaster revealed the conversation he had with his teammates before taking the free-kick. "They told me to just focus on the ball and not to think about the crowd," he said. "They were trying to calm me down and help me stay focused."
Why it matters for Cliftonville FC
The win over Crusaders sees Cliftonville FC move 3 points clear of Glentoran at the top of the Premiership. With their next fixture against Linfield on December 19, the Reds will be looking to maintain their lead at the top.
What comes next?
Cliftonville FC will be looking to build on their current form, which has seen them win all 1 games so far this season. With 2 goals scored and 1 conceded, the Reds are looking strong. Their next fixture against Linfield will be a tough test, but they will be confident after their recent win.
League standing: 1st in Premiership, 3 pts, 1W-0D-0L from 1 games, recent form W. Goals this season: 2 scored, 1 conceded (+1 goal difference). Lead at the top: 3 points clear of Glentoran. Next fixture: vs Linfield (away, 2026-12-19) (7th in the table).
