Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin was quick to bat away questions about Colin Coates joining the club after the former Crusaders captain attended Tuesday's win over Coleraine.
Coates was an interested spectator as the Reds claimed a 2-1 victory to make it two wins out of two in the Premiership this season.
The 35-year-old defender is out of contract after leaving Glenavon in the summer, leaving him open to join another club outside of the transfer window which closed at midnight on Tuesday.
It is understood the Reds are one of a number of clubs currently in talks with Coates.
"I think he just knew there was going to be a good game on, and he wanted to be part of it," McLaughlin joked after the game.
"Mick McDermott and David Healy were also here, so it is good to see other people come along.
"The window is not closed yet, and you never know what can happen in the next hour or so.
"Colin is a free agent so there is no panic, and I am sure Colin Coates will have plenty of interest because he is one of the top centre halves in the division the last how many years.
"If he gets himself a club, fair play to him. But I can't see us doing any more business in the next hour or so."
