Ryan Curran believes Cliftonville's players are hitting new heights under Paddy McLaughlin - but insists there is more to come.
McLaughlin toasted his first trophy as Reds boss on Tuesday night following an incredible injury time comeback in the County Antrim Shield final.
Two goals in the space of a minute saw Cliftonville come from behind to beat Ballymena United 2-1 at Windsor Park.
Thomas Maguire cancelled out Leroy Millar's opening goal for the Sky Blues, and then Curran curled home a sublime winner to seal the deal for McLaughlin's side.
"It was some finish. Very surreal. I don't think you'll play many games like that in your career, never mind a cup final," Curran said.
"We stuck in there. We didn't play well, but we don't care about the performance on a night like that. It is all about the win."
Millar had given Ballymena the lead in the 54th minute, and as the game entered seven minutes of injury time the Sky Blues looked on course for a second Shield success in four years.
But Maguire poked home the equaliser in the 96th minute, and one minute later Curran delivered the hammer blow to Ballymena's trophy hopes.
"It is hard put into words. There is the euphoria of scoring the goal, but times 10," Curran added.
"Thomas scored the equaliser and you are still recovering from that. When I scored the whole place erupted.
"It is potentially the best moment of my career. Scoring a 97th-minute winner is hard to beat."
McLaughlin was appointed Cliftonville manager last February, and helped the club secure European football through the Europa League playoffs.
This season he has them firmly in the title mix with 13 games remaining, and into the sixth round of the Irish Cup.
Tuesday's Shield success was further evidence of a team on the rise, and Curran believes every player has improved since McLaughlin's arrival.
"I feel I am improving under Paddy. The numbers probably reflect that," he added.
"When Paddy came in I finished last season strongly and was voted the club's player of the year.
"This year has been a bit of fits and starts, due to poor performances and the team has been doing really well. So you don't stand out as much.
"But on the whole I think I have improved, as have a lot of players.
"I think all the players have gone onto another level under Paddy, but there is room for improvement.
"There is probably another gear left in us all, and that's what is bothering us. Sometimes we can't find that other gear.
"We lost to Linfield, but those are the games you can lose. We wanted a reaction against Carrick but couldn't find it.
"Thankfully we bounced back in the Shield and we have to push on."
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