Cliftonville match-winner Conor McMenamin says 'there's no point lying about' the club's status as Irish Premiership title contenders.
McMenamin scored twice as in a thrilling North Belfast Boxing Day derby at Seaview.
The versatile 24-year-old's two-goal salvo on the Shore Road helped the Reds leapfrog champions Linfield into first with the Blues losing to Glentoran.
And McMenamin, who joined Cliftonville from Warrenpoint Town in 2018, accepts that title talk is not out of place as the Reds hunt for their first Gibson Cup since 2014.
"There's no point lying - of course we're contending," he said.
"The league table doesn't lie. We just need to keep working hard, but Paddy [McLaughlin]'s mentality is brilliant and he won't let any of us slack.
"When we were top of the league four or five weeks ago, Paddy told us that Christmas was going to be massive for us and that if we're around the top come January we'd sit down and go over it."
McMenamin feels as though he's recaptured his best form following a spell on the sidelines after tearing his quad against Linfield earlier this season.
His derby-clinching brace came after a late winner against Coleraine at Solitude , two match-winning performances which have helped enhance his reputation as a big-game player.
"I was playing that well before the injury and it was hard to take but luckily I've hit the ground running since I've come back in," he said.
"I played the County Antrim Shield semi-final against Glentoran and that maybe set me back a few weeks, but I'm glad to be back.
"Everything feels good now. I feel sharp - I had a good couple of weeks in training before playing against Coleraine."
McMenamin believes that back-to-back victories over two fellow title contenders can help put to bed the perception that Cliftonville struggle against the top sides.
Before beating Coleraine they had taken four points from six games against the other top-five sides this season.
"Beating Crusaders was massive - we were well aware that we hadn't won there on Boxing Day in 10 years," said McMenamin.
"We knew we needed to start taking points off the teams around us because the league's so close. It's been well-documented that Cliftonville weren't beating the top teams but thankfully the last two results will put that to bed."
There is no rest for the wicked during the Irish League's festive schedule with the Reds travelling to Inver Park to face Larne on Saturday.
Following their 1-1 draw there in November, McMenamin knows Cliftonville will need to be at their best to take three points back down to Belfast and secure their place at the summit heading into the new year.
"Larne are a top side," he said.
"The last time we went up there, we played Ballymena and Glentoran in midweek so Larne looked fresher than us in the second half.
"It's a good pitch so it'll suit us - there'll be no excuses when we play on their surface."
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