Uefa Conference League: Shamrock Rovers v Borac Banja Luka, Tallaght Stadium, Thursday, 8.0 – Live on Premier Sports 1
Stephen Bradley has said he is expecting a stern challenge from Borac Banja Luka at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday evening as Shamrock Rovers look to maintain their push for automatic qualification into the Uefa Conference League round of 16.
Thanks to two wins and two draws to date, Bradley’s side currently lie 10th in the competition’s league phase and are on course at the very least for a spot in a Conference League knockout phase playoffs next February.
This is the prize on offer for clubs that finish between ninth and 24th at the end of the league phase, whereas those who occupy the top eight spots will progress straight to the last 16 of the competition.
Considering just two points separate them from third-place Jagiellonia Białystok at present, a top eight spot remains a realistic goal. Their league phase campaign will end next Thursday with a mouthwatering clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. But for now Rovers are focused on the showdown with the champions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Borac have some very good attacking players. Both wide players are very good, we’ll see that tomorrow,” said Bradley.
“They have threats from crosses and are strong there, they have a clear identity with that. They’ve come off the top-of-the-table clash at the weekend, which I like when you are in a good rhythm, so I’m sure they’ll have that.
“So there’s no doubt this will be a tough game, but if we can [get] close to a full stadium tomorrow, get them behind us, we can win the game and see where that takes us in terms of automatic qualification. It will be really tight, but it gives us a hell of a chance if we can do it.”
Despite their own Premier Division campaign coming to an end at the beginning of November, Rovers have remained unbeaten in the league phase of the Conference League – a feat that only five other teams have managed across the opening four rounds of fixtures to date.
While Bradley confirmed that Aaron McEneff and Rory Gaffney remain on the absentee list, he also revealed that his squad have been bolstered by the return of a key triumvirate as they aim for another positive European result this evening.
“Danny Mandroiu, Graham Burke and Aaron Greene are all back training since the start of the week. That’s three big pluses for us, so they’re all getting up to speed again. So the group is in a good place in that regard.”
Rovers announced the signing of Danny Grant on Wednesday, the 24-year-old set to join the club at the beginning of the new year on a multiyear contract.
The Lucan native recently completed a second spell at Bohemians and while he isn’t eligible for his new employers at the moment, he can be registered for any potential knock-out Conference League games the Hoops will be playing in the new year.
