Levi Ives believes the introduction of new coaches and competition for places has been a major factor in the Reds’ charge on three fronts this campaign.

Cliftonville will have their eyes focused on securing the first piece of major silverware this season as they face Coleraine in the final of the BetMcLean League Cup on Sunday.

Paddy McLaughlin’s men are the only side who can win a hat-trick of trophies as they sustain their Danske Bank Premiership title bid, as well as reaching the semi-final of the Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup.

And for Ives, who won the League Cup with the north Belfast side in 2016, he knows that he needs to perform at his maximum level if he’s to remain in the starting eleven.

"We've brought in new coaches this year and I think that has made a major difference for us,” he said.

"The lads in the team are also looking after themselves far better

"Coleraine are a big physical side as well. I don't think we were as physical last season, but I think we've taken things more seriously not just on the training pitch but in our own lives as well.

"For me that comes from the competition within the team as there are people breathing down your neck wanting to play. We've a really good squad with two players for every position more or less.

"If you don't look after yourself you end up out of the team and you won't get back into it. Everyone is pushing each other. But even if you're not in the squad everyone is still playing a massive role.

"It won't be the same 11 playing week on week, it will chop and change. Nobody has their head down if they're not playing as they know they are still playing their part in the squad.

"That's what is keeping us right this year and helping us do well.”

The 24-year-old was full of praise for the work McLaughlin has achieved at Solitude to date – even though he was told he was too heavy by the former Institute boss!

"Paddy has been amazing,” he added.

"He's helped my career a lot with the way I've changed my game.

"When he first came in, he didn't play me for the first couple of months.

"He said I was too heavy!

"But he does look after all his players and tells them what needs to be done and what doesn't need to be done.

"His man-management is the best I've come across.

"His backroom staff have been excellent as well.”

Cliftonville have held the upper hand against the Bannsiders so far this term with three wins and a draw in the four meetings in the Danske Bank Premiership and Irish Cup.

However, Ives argues that this does not automatically mean that he and his team-mates will hold a psychological advantage when the game kicks-off at the National Stadium.

"Every game is a tough game, but Coleraine are a hard side to play against,” he stated.

"They're always up for it and up for the fight.

"I couldn't put my finger on why we've had the upper hand a bit this season.

"It is probably just the momentum that we have brought from the start of the season.

"We've managed to keep that going because we are doing well, but I honestly don't know, it's one of those things we've just been better on the day.

"Hopefully, we can keep that going.

"I've won the League Cup before with Cliftonville and it was brilliant, but this is my sixth season at Cliftonville and I've only two medals to show for it.

"You want medals at the end of every season, so it would be great to finish this campaign with some silverware.”