Baker sets sights on Juve return
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Injury stricken Shamrock Rovers striker Dessie Baker has set his sights on returning from injury ahead of schedule following The Hoop’s historic progression to the Europa League third qualifying round in which they will meet the old lady of Italian football, Juventus, next Thursday night at the Tallaght Stadium.
Following his side’s 1-0 victory (2-1 on aggregate) over Bnei Yehuda in Israel, which Baker was forced to watch on a severely interrupted streaming broadcast, the two time League of Ireland winner exclusively told extratime.ie that he hasn’t given up hope of being fit for the first leg which will be played on July 29th.
"At the moment it’s seven to ten days but I’m hoping that I might have an outside chance of making the game but I’ll definitely be fit for the second leg."
The marksman revealed that, like most Rovers’ fans, he endured a poor quality picture but it didn’t stop him enjoying the moment and texting his team mates to congratulate them on their momentous achievement.
"I texted a few of them there to say well done but I don’t think they’ll get it until tomorrow."
Unsure of what level the demand for tickets would reach the 32-year-old concluded he didn’t know where the game would be played yet, as the undoubtedly feverish planning had already begun behind the scenes, but suggested that bucket seating may be utilised to increase capacity just as it was last summer for the visit of Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Following his side’s 1-0 victory (2-1 on aggregate) over Bnei Yehuda in Israel, which Baker was forced to watch on a severely interrupted streaming broadcast, the two time League of Ireland winner exclusively told extratime.ie that he hasn’t given up hope of being fit for the first leg which will be played on July 29th.
"At the moment it’s seven to ten days but I’m hoping that I might have an outside chance of making the game but I’ll definitely be fit for the second leg."
The marksman revealed that, like most Rovers’ fans, he endured a poor quality picture but it didn’t stop him enjoying the moment and texting his team mates to congratulate them on their momentous achievement.
"I texted a few of them there to say well done but I don’t think they’ll get it until tomorrow."
Unsure of what level the demand for tickets would reach the 32-year-old concluded he didn’t know where the game would be played yet, as the undoubtedly feverish planning had already begun behind the scenes, but suggested that bucket seating may be utilised to increase capacity just as it was last summer for the visit of Spanish giants Real Madrid.
About Eoin Manning
Eoin Manning has been a part of the extratime.ie reporting team since 2009 and covers the Dublin clubs. Eoin also writes for many of the countries national newspapers and can be contacted at eoinpmanning@gmail.com View Full Profile