Jim Magilton: 'We can't compete with the money clubs, but good luck to them'
Jim Magilton accepts Cliftonville aren't in a position to compete with the big-money clubs in the Irish League.
A number of clubs have welcomed significant investment in recent times, with Coleraine the most recent example in the Irish Premiership.
The Bannsiders confirmed the signing of Larne defender Levi Ives earlier this week, who becomes the Dean Shiels' third capture of the January transfer window.
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The North West outfit also have a pre-contract in place for Linfield star Joel Cooper.
Magilton believes the arrival of new investors, players and coaches is a positive for the league, helping raise the profile of the Premiership.
"I would like it (investment) to come to Cliftonville. It would be lovely if it came here, but at the minute it's not," he said.
"Sustainability is down to the individual clubs, and if you have a plan and vision, and can ensure the club is sustainable, then it's good and raises the profile of the game here.
"If you can attract better players it makes the league a better product, which means more people look at it. And hopefully it means more investment."
While other clubs flex their financial muscle in the transfer market, Cliftonville continue to invest in youth and sign players who fit the club's DNA
It is a blueprint that has reaped reward in recent times, with youngsters including Shay Kearney and Coran Madden emerging from the underage ranks to become important members of Magilton's squad.
"Our focus will always be on trying to get the right player into Cliftonville, and we are also producing our own. We got Coran Madden in the squad, Ryan Corrigan, Joe Sheridan. We have lads under that group ready to push," he added.
"We have other young players and we are building a nucleus of younger players with hunger. That's what we have to do.
"We are totally focused on that because we can't compete financially with other clubs. We are not bemoaning it, we love it.
"Good luck to them all. It is about what we do, and we are trying to make our players better so we can remain competitive in the league."
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