Bradley pleased with ‘professional’ performance after 5-1 home win over Harps shows Hoops had no European hangover

Stephen Bradley

Stephen Bradley Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley was delighted with his team’s professional performance on Sunday evening after a 5-1 home win over Finn Harps that came just three days after their scoreless draw with Djurgardens in the Europa Conference League.

He was particularly pleased with the performance of Neil Farrguia, who scored twice, and Jack Byrne who was involved in the first and third Rovers goals before scoring the team’s fifth - his first goal since February. 

“I’m delighted with both the result and the performance because it is a tricky one after the high of Thursday night and that occasion,” said Bradley speaking with extratime.com after his team moved four point clear of Derry City at the top (and with a game in hand).

“A lot of people outside the team would have seen that match (in Europe) as a 'so-called' bigger game but we felt today was as big if not bigger considering we want to win the league. It was great that the players were so professional and performed at a real high level.”

Flying Farrugia

It was exactly two years since Farrugia scored his last goal for the Hoops – his strike in the 3-0 away win against Cork City on 12 September 2020 was his only other goal he had scored for Rovers until this evening.

“I’m delighted for Neil for those two years he has probably only been fit for four or five months. It is great to see him back and doing what he is doing - playing with that freedom and he looks back to the level that he was at UCD before that injury.

“He has had to be so patient and mentally so strong to work so hard in isolation. It is brilliant to have him back performing like that.”

Bradley deployed the left footed Farrugia on the right and right footed Andy Lyons on the left as the Rovers gaffer says it gives his team more options.



“We've seen with Andy the damage he can do. It gives the players more options and more options for the team. Both of them are brave enough to go on the outside if needs be but are very comfortable to come inside.”

Byrne is back

With Jack Byrne back pulling the strings the Hoops scored five for the first time since a 6-1 win at home to Waterford in September 2020. “It is great to give Jack 90 minutes,” said Bradley about the Ireland international who has played in the last eight games (five of them off the bench).

“We have had to be careful bringing him back with his injury but you see the glimpses in the last few weeks of him getting there. He has come through with no problems and you could see he is getting into his stride and his eye for the pass and his timing was really good.”

Bradley had used all five of his subs by the 65 minute mark and handed league debuts to three players – Ukranian Viktor Serdeniuk, Gideon Tetteh and Simon Power.

“We need everyone in the squad with the busy schedule we have. It was great to get Viktor on the pitch to give him a taste of it. He fitted into our system and did well.



"Gideon we really like as a player and we see a bright future but we have to be patient. He is only young (at 17) and we don't want to do too much with him too early. He is a great kid. He works hard and has talent. He was been training with the first team all the time.

“It is great for Simon to play as since he came in he has had knocks and a couple of niggles. That is difficult for the type of player that he is, explosive and quick. We just need to be careful so great he got those minutes tonight.”

Gent game

 

The focus for Rovers now switches to next Thursday’s game in Gent in the Europa Conferene League. The Belgian Cup holders also won on Sunday night. Their 2-0 home win – their fifth from eight league games so far this season – moved them into fifth in the table.

The Hoops felt slightly unlucky not to come away with a win over Djurgardens on Thursday but Bradley believes that Gent are a different proposition than the Swedish side from Stolkholm. They have made group stages in Europe in each of the last four seasons.

“Gent are a different team and set up to Djurgardens. They play a similar set up to ourselves in their formation. They have players who have a really high level of experience. It is obviously going to be a tough game but I believe if we go and perform like we can, we can cause them problems.”

The Hoops have sold out their full allocation of away tickets for the game in Gent.

“We aren't underestimating the task in Gent but we will have great support over there with a thousand Rovers fans which is fantastic to take away in any game and in Europe too considering the amount of games we've had (nine in Europe). We can cause them problems.”

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile