Rice is ready for Rubin
Credit:
Shamrock Rovers midfielder Stephen Rice hasn’t always been first
choice this season but he was arguably the main catalyst for the
Hoops 1-1 draw against Partizan Belgrade at Tallaght Stadium four
weeks ago.
That night, Rice was perhaps the first of the Rovers players to impose himself on their much vaunted opposition and his energy set the tone for what would become a landmark performance. So there was something appropriate about his appearance before the press in the build up to the club’s opening group game against Rubin Kazan.
“I think in all the games besides Tallinn we went in as underdogs”, he said, “and generally when Irish teams go into Europe they’re considered as underdogs. It always helps to be underdogs but, as the gaffer said, these are a top, top side and we realise that we [will] have to be at our max to get a result.”
Discussing what it takes for a League of Ireland to be successful against European opposition, Rice was clear about what, above all else, is required from the players.
“Concentration... is massive in Europe. When you go up a level... you can’t switch off for a second and concentration is massively key. We learnt that when we played the likes of Copenhagen and Partizan. You can’t switch off against the top teams and Rubin will be no different.”
In terms of what happens next, Rice was just as clear in his views. “We look to go and get results in the next six games”, he said. “We’re not going to say we’ll do this, that or the other, we’re just going to take each game as it comes. We’re just concentrating on tomorrow, and Kazan, and we can hopefully get a result. The other five games are down the road and we’ll worry about them when they come along.”
In the build up to this game there was a considerable amount of speculation over where Rovers would play their home games with the Aviva Stadium being a likely contender until it was finally announced that the club had managed to upgrade the facilities at Tallaght and that this was the preferred choice.
“It’s great”, said Rice, “because this is our home ground, you know? We’ve only played at the Aviva once, in the FAI Cup final, this is where we play week in, week out. We’re used to the ground, we’re used to the pitch, so as players we’re all happy it’s here in Tallaght and hopefully we can use that to our advantage.”
Finally, Rice addressed the issue of player fatigue. The club already have a heavy schedule of domestic games and the extra six European matches will add to an already full calender.
“Everyone feels fine, you know, you look at our squad and the strength in depth and I think we’re well equipped to deal with it. I think when games are coming along and they’re all massive games, it’s not overly hard to get yourselves up for them, whether they be title deciders, Europa League games or FAI Cup games. The boys are all looking forward to it and fatigue, I don’t think, is an issue at all.”
That night, Rice was perhaps the first of the Rovers players to impose himself on their much vaunted opposition and his energy set the tone for what would become a landmark performance. So there was something appropriate about his appearance before the press in the build up to the club’s opening group game against Rubin Kazan.
“I think in all the games besides Tallinn we went in as underdogs”, he said, “and generally when Irish teams go into Europe they’re considered as underdogs. It always helps to be underdogs but, as the gaffer said, these are a top, top side and we realise that we [will] have to be at our max to get a result.”
Discussing what it takes for a League of Ireland to be successful against European opposition, Rice was clear about what, above all else, is required from the players.
“Concentration... is massive in Europe. When you go up a level... you can’t switch off for a second and concentration is massively key. We learnt that when we played the likes of Copenhagen and Partizan. You can’t switch off against the top teams and Rubin will be no different.”
In terms of what happens next, Rice was just as clear in his views. “We look to go and get results in the next six games”, he said. “We’re not going to say we’ll do this, that or the other, we’re just going to take each game as it comes. We’re just concentrating on tomorrow, and Kazan, and we can hopefully get a result. The other five games are down the road and we’ll worry about them when they come along.”
In the build up to this game there was a considerable amount of speculation over where Rovers would play their home games with the Aviva Stadium being a likely contender until it was finally announced that the club had managed to upgrade the facilities at Tallaght and that this was the preferred choice.
“It’s great”, said Rice, “because this is our home ground, you know? We’ve only played at the Aviva once, in the FAI Cup final, this is where we play week in, week out. We’re used to the ground, we’re used to the pitch, so as players we’re all happy it’s here in Tallaght and hopefully we can use that to our advantage.”
Finally, Rice addressed the issue of player fatigue. The club already have a heavy schedule of domestic games and the extra six European matches will add to an already full calender.
“Everyone feels fine, you know, you look at our squad and the strength in depth and I think we’re well equipped to deal with it. I think when games are coming along and they’re all massive games, it’s not overly hard to get yourselves up for them, whether they be title deciders, Europa League games or FAI Cup games. The boys are all looking forward to it and fatigue, I don’t think, is an issue at all.”
About Simon O'Gorman
Simon O'Gorman began reporting for Extratime in 2010. He remembers Milltown and Flower Lodge and, back in the mists of time, saw Diego Maradona play at Lansdowne Road. He now lives in Co Kildare and … View Full Profile