Potential Real Madrid clash excites Rice

This Saturday sees the Tallaght Stadium hosting its first ever FAI Cup tie, when Shamrock Rovers play host to Alan Matthews’ Drogheda United. However, this is not the only thing that is causing excitement around the Dublin 24 area at the moment, with the possibility of Real Madrid coming to play a pre-season friendly.

Midfielder Stephen Rice has been one of Michael O’Neill’s key players this season and, when speaking to extratime.ie at Wednesday’s media briefing in Tallaght, he seemed thrilled at the prospect of facing Kaka, Arjen Robben & Co. “There’s been a few shouts about Real coming. I actually said to one of the lads: 'Did we do something wrong? Why are we getting a running session in July?

“I mean its not been confirmed yet, but if it goes ahead, that will be something that a team in this league will have never seen. This place would be packed to the rafters. You’re going to have the best players in the world. It's only if at the moment but you’re going to have the likes of Kaka, Robben and Van Nistelrooy playing in Tallaght. People dreamt about seeing us playing against Sligo Rovers [in the opening game of the season], you’d never have dreamed that four months later, even though it’s only a friendly, you’d be playing against a team of that calibre. It really would be different class."

Rice revealed how daunting he would find it coming up against the most-expensive player in world football, Brazilian superstar Kaka, and remarked that, even though they would rather be playing Real in a European competition but even just a friendly would be one of the longer lasting memories of the players' careers.

Rice said: “I might get tied to his (Kaka’s) shadow for about a yard! If it went ahead it would be ridiculous, it would pack this place out. It’d be great for Tallaght, great for the community. It would generate a lot of revenue for the club, hopefully. It just shows the magnitude of where Rovers are going and to have teams like Madrid coming here. I’m sure in some of the fan’s wildest dreams they would never have seen the likes of Madrid playing here. Even though it’s a friendly, it’s still something special”.

Rice also feels that players from other clubs will be looking in envy at Shamrock Rovers, wishing that it was them who were getting the chance to take on a side like Real Madrid. "The 24 or so fellas who are in the squad at the moment, we’re very lucky to be here, to experience being here in the first season. Anyone from the outside looking in, if you have any involvement in soccer, or anyone with any type of involvement would be looking out and saying ‘Jesus, what I wouldn’t give to be in my jersey that day against Real Madrid'," Rice concluded.

While it does seem a distinct possibility at this point, it is important to state that nothing is confirmed as of yet, although it does seem that Manuel Pellegrini’s side will enjoy an eight-day stay in the Carton House, located in Maynooth, Co. Kildare during the month of July. Eager Rovers fans won’t have to wait too long though, as Club chairman Jonathan Roche revealed that three friendlies will be announced next week, with a game against SPL side Hibernian already confirmed.

“We are announcing three friendlies next week. None of them have been confirmed yet, bar the Hibs one on July 27. We’ll be announcing another two friendlies next week. I’m not being coy on purpose, it’s just that they’re not confirmed, so there’s no point in teasing people. Obviously, the games have to be sanctioned by the FAI, so hopefully we’ll have an announcement of a few friendlies in July”, Roche revealed.

We will have to wait until then to see if the Galacticos, plus new addition Cristiano Ronaldo, will be making their way to the Tallaght Stadium but, regardless of what happens, there are exciting times ahead for all involved at Shamrock Rovers Football Club.