Irish Premier League fans have an interesting theory about what Stephen Baxter said to Paddy McLaughlin on Friday night at the end of the Ireland Cup semi-final at Windsor Park.
The director of the Victorious Crusade shook hands with McLaughlin after his side’s 2-1 win before having strange conversations with the frustrated Reds boss.
Lengthy interactions were recorded during BBC’s live coverage of the last four matches, and some anxious viewers thought they could decipher Baxter’s words of condolence.
BBC broadcaster and commentator Joel Taggart tweeted: “I’m sure Stephen Baxter said to Buddy McLaughlin after the final whistle: ‘Go win the championship.'”
One fan, Stuart Pierce, responded, “I wasn’t lip reading, but I thought I was seeing ‘Go ahead and win the title.’ It’s exciting to say. LOL.”
Cliftonville, who won the BetMcLean League Cup last month, is currently in a three-way battle with Linfield and Glentoran to win the league title later this month.
The Reds are currently just four points behind leaders Linfield, who are pursuing the Gibson Cup for the fourth time in a row, a game behind the Glens.
The Cliftonville game will take place in Portadown Tuesday night before facing Linfield at Solitude on April 9, the first of five matches since Split.
When asked what Baxter said at the final whistle on Friday night, McLaughlin replied: “Stephen is a legend in the game and the tournament and I have a lot of respect for him.
He has simply wished us well for the past two weeks and I also wished him all the best in the Ireland Cup final.
“He was nothing more than a compliment to our guys and just told us to go and give our all until the end of the season.
“I have to respect Stephen for saying that. His team is only after reaching the cup final and has turned their attention to us in the last five or six games.
“Full respect and fairness to Stephen for saying that.”
Cliftonville topped the semi-finals on Friday night thanks to Joe Gormel’s 21st goal of the season.
But the Crusaders tied and won with Ross Clark during the first half when he assisted Captain Billy Joe Burns in Ben Kennedy’s corner into the far corner.
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Source: Belfastlive
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