Scandi signings an option for Bradley but not for ‘crazy money’

Stephen Bradley

Stephen Bradley Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

Stephen Bradley spoke to the media in Tallaght Stadium on the eve of his team’s Europa Conference League game. The press event was held in the stadium’s ‘1899 Suite’ where last Sunday night after Rovers’ 4-1 win over St. Patrick’s Athletic there were some low key celebrations by Bradley and Hoops fans.

Bradley had saluted supporters in the South Stand after the final whistle in the Dublin derby victory over the Saints and later on in the 1899 suite he was happy to stand with supporters for selfies before retiring to the corner of the room with some of the management team, friends and family. 

With Derry City dropping points that night, it left the Hoops on the brink of the title and three-in-a-row was confirmed on Monday when Derry drew in Sligo but Bradley noted that “the time for celebrating as a group will come down the road” and after their final four games of the season.

Having done a round of media interviews on Tuesday morning, Bradley was in reflective mood on Wednesday evening when asked about the lessons learned from the campaign so far and about possibility of expanding his squad next season.

“What we do really well is that we review everything - domestically and in Europe - and this campaign will be no different,” said Bradley. “We will review it to see where we can improve in every aspect. We want to be here (in the groups stages) again next year and again after that.

“Our away form is something that we definitely need to improve, that is quite obvious. Our home form and performances have been right there. As a group, as individuals and as a club we will be stronger for this year. We still have a chance of going to win two games (in Europe) and that is the aim.”

It has been clear that Rovers, having qualified for the group stages, prioritised the league with the champions route realistically the only route to group stage football for League of Ireland sides. 

There was surprise that the Hoops didn’t boost their squad with additional signings after they secured group stage football this year but Bradley explained his thinking.

“A bigger squad always helps but it is not just about having numbers. It is about having the right quality. I've never looked short term in signings, or how we play, or the vision for how we do things. It has always been about long term. You have many people when you make the group stages that you should sign five or six players but that isn't what we do.



“If the right players are available and we feel they would improve what we do, of course we would try to bring them in. We will look to add and bring quality into the group, but they have to have a good character and buy in to what we are about. That is why we didn't make a lot of signings when we could have before the group stages.”

The Hoops Head Coach explained that they have looked to bring players in from outside the league before but the expectations of some of those players have prevented their arrival.

“We always have looked outside. Scandinavia is a really interested market for us. Again, you need to be very careful of what you bring in. Their mentality has to be right. You are not bringing them in for one game against Gent on a Thursday night, you are bringing them in for Finn Harps, Drogheda and UCD. 

“They have to understand what they are coming into financially and where they are coming. We aren't a club that is going to spend thousands and thousands on players - I know some people want us to do that - but that is not us. That is not the model, that is not what we do. I don't think the league is there yet. Some clubs have gone down that road and have hurt themselves. 

“We won't go down that road. We have spoken to so many players in the past few years but they are asking for crazy money and a house in the city centre. You try to explain to them an apartment in Dublin is €3,000 so getting a house is going to be difficult.



"Once they see group stages, they can demand the sun, moon and stars but we have to stick to our plan and trust what we do.”

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