Rovers gearing up for next European mission in Gent
By Daire Walsh
HAVING picked up a creditable point at home to Djurgårdens last week, Shamrock Rovers will be hoping to come away with another positive result from tonight’s UEFA Europa Conference League Group F clash against Gent at the Ghelamco Arena (kick-off 5.45pm Irish time).
Stephen Bradley’s Hoops recorded wins in all four of their qualification games at Tallaght Stadium and had opportunities to claim the three points on offer in a group opener that eventually ended 0-0.
Yet when you consider Rovers finished the group stages of the Europa League back in 2011-12 without a point to their name, they would have been content to come away with something to show for their efforts.
Strangely, the wait for a goal in Group F will extend into this evening’s second round of fixtures as Gent and Molde of Norway also played a scoreless draw in their meeting last Thursday. Something is bound to give, however, and Rovers need to be wary of the threats Gent can pose.
Although the Belgian outfit suffered a shock Europa League play-off exit at the hands of Omonia Nicosia – managed by former Celtic boss and Northern Ireland international Neil Lennon – the East Flanders club do have a strong pedigree in European competitions.
Most notably, Gent made it all the way to the last-16 of the UEFA Champions League in 2015-16, after coming out of a group that included Zenit Saint Petersburg, Valencia and Lyon.
They also progressed to the knockout phase of the Europa League on a couple of occasions and made it past the group stages of the inaugural Conference League just under 12 months ago.
Manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck can call upon 10 full internationals in his squad, as well as several others who have featured prominently in the underage ranks for their country.
Rovers have struggled on the road thus far in Europe this season, but will be buoyed by a comprehensive victory at the expense of Finn Harps in Tallaght last Sunday.
Thanks to a brace from Neil Farrugia in addition to one each from Rory Gaffney, Andy Lyons and Jack Byrne, the Hoops eased to a 5-1 triumph.
Byrne has been used sparingly since returning from a recent injury and will be hoping his goal in this game can be a springboard for a strong end to the campaign.
This result moves the three in-a-row chasing Hoops four points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table with a game still in hand on main rivals Derry City.
Rovers will face the Candystripes in a FAI Cup quarter-final at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Sunday, but their focus now will be very much on the European front.