Europa League Preview: NK Celje -v- Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers begin their Europa League journey on Thursday night in Slovenia when they travel to face NK Celje (kick-off is at 7.15pm Irish Time).

The Hoops – if they come through the tie – will face the losers of the Champions League qualifying tie between Malmo of Sweden and PAOK of Greece in the Europa League play-off round. 

But if they lose the two-legged tie, Rovers will face the winners of the contest between Ordabasy of Kazakhstan and Pyunik of Armenia in the Conference League play-off round.

One more two-legged win will see Shamrock Rovers reach the Conference League group stages at a minimum.

The game can be viewed via Solidsport here at a cost of €10.

NK CELJE 

Former Liverpool winger Albert Riera will be looking to mastermind a vital first-leg win for NK Celje over Shamrock Rovers on Thursday night. 

Riera, 42, has been in charge of the Slovenian champions since earlier this year having previously managed Olimpija Ljubljana and Bordeaux before.

This is also his second stint in charge of Celje having managed them in 2023 before returning last month on a two-year deal. His first stint in charge only saw him take charge for 3 months before taking over at Bordeaux.

But he only took charge of them for the first time in his second stint last week and his first game in charge saw them slump to a heavy 5-0 defeat away to Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League qualifiers.

Riera also served as an assistant manager at Turkish giants Galatasaray. 

Celje won the Slovenian top-flight last season and play at the 13,059 capacity Stadion Z’dezele.

They have played against Irish opposition in Europe before, defeating Dundalk in the 2020 Champions League qualifiers. 

Celje also reached the play-off round of the Conference League last season, but lost 5-2 on aggregate to then Robbie Keane managed Maccabi Tel Aviv. 

In terms of players to watch out for, winger Ivan Brnic has recently joined on loan from Olympiacos while 28-year-old right-back Zan Karnicnik is a threat.

Celje’s league campaign began a fortnight ago and they are sixth in the table having won and lost once so far. They were beaten 1-0 away to NS Mura on Saturday, the same side who St Patrick’s Athletic defeated in the Conference League two years ago.

SHAMROCK ROVERS 

Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley believes his side are in a ‘good place’ ahead of their Europa League qualifier against Celje on Thursday evening.

The Hoops know that one more European qualifier win over two legs will secure group stage football this season. 

And they come into the game off the back of a league win over Waterford last weekend having turned in a spirited display against Sparta Prague in their Champions League qualifier last week.

But they remain without Rory Gaffney and Johnny Kenny, with the latter out for a number of weeks.

“We’re in a good place,” Bradley told his club’s website. “We know we’re going into a difficult game but they all are at this level and at this stage. 

“We know we’re going over to play a good team but the Sparta Prague experience in terms of playing them will only help us and I’m sure we’ll only be better for that experience. 

“We’ll use what we learned in those two games, take what we did well and improve upon what we didn’t do so well. We’ll take all that into Thursday night and do everything we can to win the game”

Referee:Damian Sylwestrzak (Poland).

PREDICTION 

NK Celje 2-1 Shamrock Rovers 

NK Celje 

Injured:Tamar Svetlin.

Doubtful:None.

Suspended:Damjan Vuklisevic. 

Shamrock Rovers 

Injured:Rory Gaffney, Johnny Kenny. 

Doubtful:None.

Suspended: None.