Glass looks to continue winning start

Stephen Glass, Shamrock Rovers' assistant manager, may be new to the Airtricity League but is he fully aware that, whatever the competition, Shamrock Rovers versus Bohemians is a significant fixture. 

“I’m definitely aware of that!”  said Glass when extratime.ie caught up with him after Friday’s 3-1 win over Monaghan and ahead of Monday’s home Leinster Senior Cup game against Bohs.

“I’m well aware of how many derbies there are and that Bohemians is a big one,” said Glass who played under Stephen Kenny at Dunfermline.  “I’m really looking forward to it.  Maybe the numbers won’t be as big as tonight in terms of crowd.  We got a great backing tonight and I’m sure those that come along on Monday night will do the same and they will be wanting to see a win.”

Winning the Leinster Senior Cup would not be high on the priorities of either club but the thoughts of getting one over on their Dublin rivals will mean that Monday’s game will be a well contested tie. Bohemians knocked Rovers out of this competition last season and they have a rich history in this cup.  The Gypsies won the trophy for the first time back in 1895 and have won it a record 31 times.

Shamrock Rovers have the record for league of Ireland titles and Glass will want his club to make it title number 18 this season.  Rovers have gained two wins out of two in the league so far but have conceded the first goal in each game.

“We’ve scored a lot of good goals and have come from behind twice,” said Glass, “but obviously if you can prevent going behind you have a greater chance of winning the game.  You can’t keep going behind and win games.  It does show there is a really great spirit in the group.  We have the strength of character to come from behind.”

Last Friday, Monaghan United came to Tallaght with a specific plan to try and contain Rovers’ attacking options.

“It was pretty apparent that they tried to stop our full backs getting forward especially Kerrea Gilbert,” said the Scotsman.  “I think if we were cleverer in the first half and more accurate with our passing we could have used it to our advantage.  We were better in the second half, moved it better and went ahead.  I think we showed enough to win the game.”

It took a moment of brilliance from Killian Brennan for Rovers to score as his audacious back flick volley found the net.  “Killian’s goal was a good one,” said Glass.  “It was an opportunists goal more than anything else.  He has got those flicks in his locker, he’s got good ability and he is always likely to pull something unorthodox out.”