Cliftonville vs Linfield 04/05/24

Linfield captain Jamie Mulgrew and trophies go together like bacon and eggs.

"And also, look, I enjoy it, I enjoy playing here, I enjoy the challenge of being successful and winning trophies and medals. I think that's the main goal and the excitement for me. “I enjoy the changing room that we have, I feel we have a good changing room, a good bunch of boys there, a good mix, so it's enjoyable to come in every day. “I suppose you could say at my age coming in every day, enjoying the environment and working your socks off every day is something that I like. It might sound strange but I do.” Mulgrew also admits he is still constantly striving to prove people wrong. He said: “Look, no matter what age you are, people will write you off and say things. You might have a couple of mediocre games and they might think 'he's not a good player' or whatever it is. That's society now, that's part of the industry that we are in, so it's important that you have the mentality to prove people wrong. “At the end of the day, in football that's what you're constantly trying to do, prove people wrong because I think we all know football is about opinions and people still think I'm a rubbish footballer. That's the way it is, you're not going to change that. “You just have to keep working hard and have a strong mentality to perform and prove people wrong.” And Mulgrew’s vast experience and will to win will be crucial in the dressing room today. “I think I will just do what I always do, enjoy and embrace the challenge. I don’t think there is anything to be overawed about,” he added. “Going out in front of 15,000 people, what’s not to look forward to. That’s certainly what spurs me on and gives me the drive to go and win another trophy for the club, another medal, and that’s something I don’t get sick of. “Winning the League Cup should spur us on to go and win another trophy.”

The all-conquering Blues skipper has won everything Irish League football has to offer - several times over - and will be hoping to claim an eighth Irish Cup winner’s medal this afternoon. His insatiable hunger for success has ensured that at the age of 37 he remains a vital ingredient in David Healy’s recipe for success. Having lost out to Larne in the title race for a second year running, pressure will be on the Blues to deliver the goods today and add the Clearer Water Irish Cup trophy to the League Cup, which has been resting in the club’s trophy cabinet for the past two seasons. But while the league will always remain the priority for Linfield, Mulgrew insists this competition is never viewed as an afterthought. “I think if you look back, winning the league wasn't good enough, I think that's the stage it got to, which is quite amazing, but that's what's expected (at Linfield),” he said. “Whenever you come through the doors here, that's the magnitude of the task ahead. Then obviously we were winning the league and that was successful, but under David (Jeffrey), when we were winning doubles, that's what was expected every year. “There's a lot more competition in the league with Larne and things, and even when we were going through a barren spell of not winning the league, that was always the expectation, winning the league. “But look, we've certainly improved from last year and we hopefully can finish off on a high and be Irish Cup winners, which is the next best thing at the minute for us.” Mulgrew shows no signs of winding down his trophy-laden career. He believes he can still contribute to a successful Linfield side – and his desire for more success only grows by the season. He added: “I suppose in my position, you're trying to put off the inevitable, you try and prolong your career as long as possible, and that's all down to putting the work, the effort in, and also having the right mentality.

Words Mark McIntosh

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