Conference League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- The New Saints

SHAMROCK ROVERS

The Hoops can certainly help themselves get over the bitter disappointment of losing out on five-in-a-row last week by getting a win on Thursday over The New Saints (TNS) – a victory that could potentially secure them qualification for the knock stage of the Conference League.

Rovers have four points from their first two games – a 1-1 draw at home to APOEL and a 4-1 win against Larne at Windsor Park a fortnight ago.

That makes this match against TNS a massive one for Shamrock Rovers given the expectation that seven points could well be good enough for 24th position or better in the UEFA Conference League - with the top 24 of the 36 teams going through to the knock-out stage.

With two tough away league stage games to come against Rapid Vienna at the end of November and Chelsea the week before Christmas – Rovers are targeting this game against TNS and the home one to come against the Bosnian Champions Boruc as their best hope to pick up the points to become the first ever Irish side to qualify for the knock-out stages of a European competition.

“It puts us in a really strong position if we can win the game,” said Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley speaking to shamrockrovers.ie on the eve of the match.

“We won’t know for sure but it gives us a really strong chance to play in Europe after Christmas which is what we all want. But we need to focus on tomorrow and what’s in front of us.

“They have a chance to create history, to do something that’s never been done in this country before,” said Bradley about his team. “That’s special and is something we can do on Thursday night. I think TNS are a very good team. I’ve been over to watch them and watched them from afar a number of times.

"They’ve got quality in their team, a really clear identity in how they play. You can see the manager’s philosophy is clear. They beat Astana 2-0 and that could’ve been more, they were really good on the night. So I’ve no doubt we’re in for a really tough game but I believe that our players are ready for it.

"Come the big stage, they step up.”

Rovers finished the domestic campaign very strongly - winning seven and drawing one of their last nine matches – but lost out on the title by two points to Shelbourne. “We can talk about late runs, nearly getting there but we haven’t been good enough (to win the league) and that’s the simple fact.

"We put ourselves in the position where you’re relying on another result and that’s not our standards, so it hasn’t been good enough domestically this year.

“We’re obviously gutted. It hurts, it stings, it’s meant to hurt, we’ve held the title for a long time. But maybe it’s a little kick up the backside that we all needed.”

THE NEW SAINTS 

TNS have proven themselves very capable in Europe winning matches over the last few seasons – and have experience of playing in Europe every season since 2000 but this is still their first time making the group or league stage of a UEFA competition.

This season they beat Montenegrin champions Decic 4-1 on aggregate in the first round of the Champions League before losing to Ferencvaros 7-1 and then to Moldovan side Petroclub Hincesti 1-0 in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

Their win over Panevezys 3-0 on aggregate in the play-off round of the Conference League earned them league stage football. They lost 2-0 away to Fiorentina on Match Day one and followed that up with a 2-0 home win over Astana.

"If Shamrock Rovers win they are near enough through and if we win, we’re a point or two away," said TNS manager Craig Harrison speaking to the BBC on Wednesday. "I think eight [points] will probably get you into that 24, seven might with a good goal difference."

"We know it’s going to be a tough game but we’ve been out twice to watch them live and we’ve obviously done as much homework as we can.

"It’s one where both teams feel like they can get something from the game and obviously a victory for ourselves would put us on the right path and give us a great opportunity to move forward in the competition."

TNS sit second in the Cymru Premier League with 30 points from 13 games, four behind league leaders Penybont (but with two games in hand).

They have won their last seven matches in a row (including five in the league, one in the Conference and a 16-0, yes sixteen nil, Welsh Cup win over Llangollen Town FC).

Referee: Snir Levy (Israel)

MATCH STATS

The League of Ireland is ranked 17 places higher than the Welsh league.

TNS last played League of Ireland opposition in the 2010 Champions League qualifiers – they beat Bohs 4-1 on aggregate.

If Graham Burke can get on the scoresheet on Thursday, he would move level with second placed Gren Crowe (11) in the all-time League of Ireland scorer list in Europe. David McMillan tops that with 14 goals.

PREDICTION

2-1 home win

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Rory Gaffney, Sean Hoare, Danny Mandroiu

Doubtful: Sean Kavanagh

Suspended: None

The New Saints

Predicted XI: Roberts; Daniels, D.Davies, Bodenham, Redmond; Smith, D.Williams, Holden, Wilson, McManus; Brobbel.

Who are Shamrock Rovers’ Conference League opponents The New Saints? - https://t.co/94rjArrGiRhttps://t.co/1mSjcsJPrL

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