Colin Coates has the formula to end Cliftonville’s long wait for Irish Cup glory as he prepares to take on former side Crusaders in semi-final

After a difficult spell at Glenavon, the experienced centre-back wasn’t sure where his playing career was going but he became another one of Paddy McLaughlin’s shrewd signings.

The 36-year-old may not be playing every minute of every game but his vast knowledge and leadership qualities continue to be a key ingredient in the Reds’ remarkable campaign.

And, in another ironic twist of fate, Coates can help Cliftonville exorcise their Irish Cup demons.

In case they have forgotten, Reds fans haven’t celebrated an Irish Cup success since 1979 and the former Northern Ireland international was part of the Crusaders side that claimed the bragging rights in the 2009 decider, settled by Mark Dickson’s smart finish.

Coates, who won three league titles and two Irish Cups as well as a Setanta Cup at Crusaders, will be in the Reds camp when the derby rivals clash at Windsor Park tonight, with an Irish Cup final appearance within reach.

Cliftonville have already won the BetMcLean League Cup and are only four points behind league leaders Linfield with a game in hand as the title race approaches the finish line.

These are the big moments in the season when leaders must step and Coates, who left the Crues in 2020, is certainly one of those warriors.

“When I made the move initially there was a bit of trepidation about how things would be perceived among supporters of both clubs,” reflects Coates.

“Since I have joined it’s been positive from both sides. Cliftonville fans have taken to me and I haven’t heard of Crues fans speaking ill of it.

“It’s one of those unusual scenarios that football throws up. In the summer I had to think about what I wanted to do. I had been at Glenavon during the pandemic and it was a time when I wasn’t enjoying football for the first time in my career.

“It was important that I went to a club and played for a manager and team that I knew I would enjoy.

“From the moment I arrived at the club the players and Paddy have been brilliant, they have welcomed me in and it’s nice we are challenging on all fronts and pushing ourselves as hard as we can to stay in touch with the full-time teams. That’s a challenge I enjoy.”

Cliftonville must feel like they are so close to the promised land but there is that inevitable fear the boat could sink at any moment.

“When I joined the club I did an interview with Cliftonville TV and I said pushing for Europe should be the minimum target with the squad that was there. That’s what we need to focus on whether it’s through the league or Irish Cup,” added Coates who won six Northern Ireland caps.

“That’s still the primary focus and we need to keep that in mind. It’s probably went better than I expected in terms of what the club has achieved so far but I knew it was a squad packed with talent and Paddy was shrewd in the transfer market.

“He signed players who all had a point to prove, whether it was Jamie McDonagh, Jonny Addis, myself and Cricky Gallagher.

“But football is a funny game and if you lose two matches in a row your season doesn’t look so good. You can only look as far as the next game and we have done that all season.”

The Reds’ staff and players are driven to succeed. It feels like there’s a perfect combination of talent, hunger and togetherness.

“Everyone has a hunger to do well including the manager who did well at Institute and wants to enjoy more success at Cliftonville,” says Coates.

“I’ve made around 17 appearances this season and possibly not played as much as I would have liked but at the same time you can see what is being built.

“Players are disappointed when they don’t play but there is no-one who is rocking the boat and it’s great to see.

“If you’re not playing everyone is behind the team. I’ve seen players in the past huff when they don’t play and I do understand that but the bigger picture is the squad needs to be together and it’s a credit to Paddy in how he manages his players and talks to them. It’s a great set-up and we just need to keep it going for a few weeks more.”

Playing opportunities have been limited for the Irish League veteran but as the season has unfolded, he has felt more involved.

“Before Christmas I wasn’t getting a lot of game time and you have your own doubts about whether you can play at the level you need to,” he added. “To be fair, that was down to the form of Jonny Addis and young Luke Turner who have been outstanding.

“Jonny is probably having his best ever season and Luke, at 19, is a phenomenal talent who should go on and have a brilliant career.

“In the last few weeks I have started a few games and when I’ve come on as a substitute I have shown I can do a job and I feel brilliant. I was chatting to Sean Ward and I said I don’t feel any different on the pitch than when I was 30.

“The recovery might be a bit slower, with a few more aches and pains the next day, but I don’t feel any different on the pitch.

“Training three nights a week has been a big help and Marty McCann puts on high intensity sessions and I do put in 100% to be ready to play. I’ve been injury free as well so I’ll play as long as I can.”

Cliftonville and the Irish Cup don’t quite go together. It’s more a Will Smith-Chris Rock relationship than Ant and Dec.

But Coates isn’t burdened by the club’s desperation to end more than 40 years of pain.

“The 2009 final was my first major trophy and the club qualified for Europe,” he says.

“Winning the Irish Cup is a great day and everyone wants to be involved in it. I’ve had some ups and downs in the Irish Cup, won and lost a few finals and you have to navigate your semi-final first. It’s a big game against Crusaders and you would imagine it’s their big opportunity to get into Europe and get silverware.

“It’s a game they will have building up for since the quarter-finals. It will be tough against a team of top players, many of whom I have played with. They will try and upset our run but we can only look after ourselves and keep doing what we have been doing.

“Cliftonville’s Irish Cup tale is well documented and I can remember in 2009 you heard talk of 30 years since winning it and there was hope they could end the run then and there’s been a few opportunities since.

“For me, as an ex Crusaders player, I don’t carry that baggage while a player like Joe Gormley will have his eyes on that medal. It’s a new group of players, new manager and the team just need to play well against a tough opponent. If you can get to a final then anything can happen.”

With Cliftonville chasing a treble and the Crues linking up with Liverpool legend Ian Rush and Irama in a new ownership structure, these are interesting times in north Belfast.

“I don’t know the detail of the new Crues arrangement but you are always looking at ways to improve your club and Crusaders have tried to push the boat out a bit more in terms of investment to keep pace with the likes of Linfield, Glentoran and Larne,” says Coates.

“You have to trust the board members that they have done their due diligence and the club members have voted in favour of it. I hear talk of the full-time clubs quite a lot but I think there’s more teams in the league that are competitive now.

“If you look back 10 or 15 years the best teams of that era would still win league titles today but the difference in the modern game is more talent is spread around the league.

“The Glens are back and other sides have risen to the challenge. Players are more professional, do more training and the investment is good for the league and can help players improve and perhaps get a move to England or Scotland.

“At Cliftonville, we train three times a week and I haven’t played against a team this season which has been fitter, more organised or better prepared.”

Cliftonville have waited so long to lift the Irish Cup that they might as well turn to a Crusaders legend.

Coates might be tempted say why not – you have tried everything else!