Stephen Bradley: 'There’s no point shying away. We wanted to win more games'

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Shamrock Rovers secured their first win of the Premier Division campaign when they secured a 0-1 win over Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night.

Stephen Bradley spoke to the media after the game and, among other things, the Rovers boss gave his view on where his side are at despite a number of disappointing results in the opening games of the season.

“There’s no point shying away. We wanted to win more games,” Bradley said.

“Not standing here saying we're OK with not winning games. That's not us. We've set standards. We want to win.

“So, we're not happy where we are in terms of points total. I'm not saying that at all. We want to win, and we want the three points on the board as soon as possible. But like I said, we know what it takes over the course of the season.

“When you've been so successful the worry is hunger and mentality, and I've seen actually more hunger and more drive to want to be successful which is the pleasing thing.

“So, when you have that you have the quality you know you're in a good place and I believe this group are in a good place. Look it's what, this is our fourth game, our fifth game? So, it's early. But like you said, it's a win.”

Friday’s game was a tight affair – although the Hoops did show their pedigree on a number of occasions with their passing ability and the creation of some good chances.

Johnny Kenny came off the bench in the second half and scored late on to secure the points for Rovers, but Bradley was pleased with the performance.

“I thought we thoroughly deserved it, to be honest. I thought on another night we could have been two or three up. You think of Graham’s chance in the first half, the two free headers Josh has missed.

“There were one or two around the box that were just blocked. I thought a lot of our play was really, really good on a on a difficult pitch and I thought we were very good, and the goal was really high level in terms of, pass the timing of the run and then the finish from Johnny, it was, it was everything you would want and everything you’d work on.”

The winning goal was Johnny Kenny’s first goal of the season since arriving back at Tallaght on loan from Celtic.

Bradley revealed that he still has a way to go in terms of fitness having had a procedure back in Scotland.

“Yeah, to be fair to Johnny, he's so far behind our lads in terms of preseason. He was back in Celtic, he had an op, which we all knew a the rehab was really good over there.

“But meant he only came back to us I think when it was two weeks into the season, so he's still playing catch up in terms of all of that. So we have to be patient but what we love and what I've always said about Johnny is it takes real bravery to be a centre forward and put yourself in positions to miss.

“And Johnny does that and obviously he scores but takes bravery when you missed to be in that position again and put yourself in that position. Johnny has that mentality and there's still lots to work on.

“He's still young and we believe here is the place for him to develop that talent and I think he has a really high ceiling. I think he has a lot of really good attributes we need to improve the ones that are not as good, but I think he has a really high ceiling.”

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