LEADING THE WAY
Rovers’ O’Neill eyes more goals, like Man City star
COMPARISONS between Rodri of Manchester City and Gary O’Neill of Shamrock Rovers may appear implausible at first glance but dip below the surface and they are visible.
Firstly, both play in the same position — CDM as it’s known today — central defensive midfielder.
Secondly, both signed for their current clubs at the same time — the summer of 2019 — which has since coincided with a sustained spell of trophy hunting.
Thirdly, neither are known for their goals, which is something they are seeking to improve on.
Rodri (below) has a bet with the City players that if he scores ten goals this season, they must all wear their jerseys inside their shorts, as he does.
For O’Neill, hitting double figures is not a realistic target given his return of four goals in 152 games for the Hoops.
His last goal was in European competition in August 2022, while his last league goal for Rovers was in May 2021 — a far cry from 37 goals across four seasons at UCD, including 16 in 2016.
The 29-year-old from Tralee is aware he needs to chip in with a couple of goals, at least, as the champions embark on their drive for five.
‘The manager (Stephen Bradley) has been on me. We spoke about Rodri, and how he’s starting to pitch up with a few more goals now for City. The manager says it’s something I can add to my game.
‘At UCD, I was box to box, scored a lot of goals. The gaffer (Bradley) sees me in a different role. My goals have been few and far between, the last was against Shkupi in Europe. I need to score more.’ Ahead of the first double-header of the season, at home to Drogheda United tonight and Derry City on Monday, O’Neill is eager for things go well for Rovers on the pitch, and in the stands too, after an outbreak of flare-throwing on the opening two weekends. ‘I know flares are part of the game but I hate them,’ he said. ‘We played Pat’s last year to win the league and we lost 10 minutes at the start of game, waiting for people to get them off the pitch. ‘People say they create an atmosphere but as a player they can be very frustrating. That night in Richmond, we were standing around, waiting for smoke to clear. You’re warmed up, and it’s a delay. It’s a nightmare.
‘I watched Sligo versus Derry on Saturday night, and you couldn’t see the first few minutes of the game.’
O’Neill felt for Bohs defender Cian Byrne who was burned on the arm by a flare last week thrown by a Bohs supporter. ‘Putting people at risk of harm is crazy,’ he said.
Rovers have been stung by a sloppy start to their title defence, not least against Shelbourne last Friday.
‘I don’t think we can start any game like that and expect to win in. First 25 minutes we were seriously bad. Shels took full advantage of the energy from the crowd for the first game of the season at Tolka.
‘One of only times I’ve been here, where we had to own up how bad we were,’ said O’Neill.
‘At half-time, words were said. Not anyone falling out. It just wasn’t good enough. After the game, when we lost, we had another conversation about it.
‘Three seasoned pros were name-checked but anyone, we were so bad all over the pitch in that first 25 minutes. We’ve moved on.’
Just as Rodri has become a rock for Pep Guardiola at City, so Stephen Bradley feels less anxious when O’Neill is in his starting XI.
‘Gary loves the big occasion, he loves the pressure which really helps playing for this club, and the bigger the game, he usually steps up to the plate and performs,’ said Bradley.
‘He’s completely grown to be one of our main men and that’s real maturity on and off the pitch, He’s a future captain of this team, I’ve no doubt about that.’
Key player: Gary O’Neill leads his side out before the match against Dundalk last month
“At UCD, I was a box to box player”