I BELIEVE I CAN GET LYONS SHARE OF GOALS
ANDY LYONS says he goes into every game believing he can score.
The Shamrock Rovers wing-back is the joint-third top scorer in the Airtricity Premier Division this season on five goals along with striker Aidan Keena of Sligo Rovers and Dundalk’s Patrick Hoban.
It’s some record for the Ireland Under-21 ace, considering he netted just three times in 77 appearances for Bohemians.
Lyons, who crossed the Dublin divide during the close-season, has made 12 appearances for the Hoops, with his latest goal coming in Friday’s 1-1 draw at Sligo Rovers.
Lyons says he now approaches games believing he can add to his impressive tally.
“Obviously when you score one, you get momentum off that,” said the Dubliner. “Then you get two and I think I’ve scored in the last four or five games I’ve started. You just get the confidence from that. Obviously I’m not a striker, but when you get a chance you are confident you will put it in the back of the net.
“But the main thing is we are creating chances and if it’s not me, it’s going to be someone else.
“But the chances are there to be taken and thankfully I’ve been able to put a few away.”
Lyons has been the main beneficiary this season from the return of Jack Byrne (inset) to Rovers and the Ireland midfielder’s wicked set-piece deliveries.
Three of his five goals have come from Byrne corners. “I got one and you just get that confidence from scoring,” added Lyons. “The balls are on a plate from Jacko and it’s the lads’ job to put the ball in the net.
“Thankfully I’ve been able to do it now on a few occasions, but the main thing is the three points and unfortunately we didn’t get that in Sligo, which is very disappointing.”
Lyons appears to have benefitted from the fact opposing defenders have their hands full marking
Rovers’ other attacking stars.
“I suppose we are a big side,” he said. “When you look at Rory [Gaffney] and the three boys at the back, then I’m going for set-pieces as well, there are four players to mark and I’m coming in as the fifth player.
“We have a big side and people have to be marked, so thankfully I’ve been able to get my head on a few balls.”