Buckley on upcoming friendlies
SLIGO Rovers return to action this evening (Tuesday) when they travel to Athlone to take on First Division Athlone Town in their first pre-season friendly.
The Bit O’Red have been in training for the last number of weeks, and tonight’s game will give Liam Buckley a chance to see where his side is at.
“We’re looking forward to getting into games. It will be a work in progress over the next few weeks in relation to getting our fitness,” the Rovers boss told The Sligo Champion.
It will be his first chance to have a look at new signings in a match setting, with seven new players among the squad.
Romeo Parkes and Ryan De Vries are not yet available, with Parkes set to begin training next week following his two week quarantine.
Buckley added: “I think we’re all looking forward to it (pre-season friendlies) especially the new lads and seeing how they blend in, you know that kind of way. We still have one or two to add into the group from a training and pre-season point of view.
“Romeo is only in so he will be training next week and we still have Ryan De Vries to come back too.”
For players this is possibly the more enjoyable part of pre-season, as they see how the gruelling weeks of training have paid off.
“It’s an enjoyable part of pre-season getting into games and getting a feel for everyone. Even from a coaching point of view just having a look at the group and seeing what we have to work on and what we have to do to improve the group over the next few weeks.”
Buckley is hopefully that his squad can get through the pre-season schedule without picking up any major injuries.
The Rovers boss had to make do with a large number of injuries throughout the 2020 season, even with the break.
“It’s not too bad (pre-season). We’ve picked up the odd niggle here and there but hopefully if we can get through pre-season with not too many injures and have as many available as possible bearing in mind we have Dundalk next month.”
Classed as an elite sport, the League of Ireland and Women’s National League seasons are allowed to proceed unlike other sports such as GAA.
While it’s great for those involved in the League of Ireland, Buckley is well aware of how fortunate he and everyone at Rovers are to be allowed continue.
“We’re privileged to be playing at this stage, bearing in mind all the other sports and what’s happening around the world from a Covid point of view.”
He praised the work of the FAI which has ensured that football can return as safely as possible.
“Alan Byrne has done a fantastic job with the FAI to get us through last season and to this point. We got through it all and to have us up and running at this stage is fantastic from all the clubs’ point of view and equally from a supporters’ perspective.
“Please god we can get them all back in this year at some stage. If we can all stay tight and keep to the restrictions and stay on top of it, please god with vaccines by summer we might get people back at games.”
Rovers players have stuck to their bubbles in order to minimise the risk of spreading their virus, with the club managing to avoid any cases throughout 2020.
Strict protocols in training and around the club make it safer for everyone.
“Even from a training point of view, there’s a load of protocols that we have to follow to make sure we limit the potential for this disease to spread so we’ve done well, without tempting fate.
“Even in County Sligo too, the cases have been low. We just need to get this back to zero so we can return to normality.”
He may not be done in the transfer window just yet, but only time will tell if there will be any more players joining before the season begins.
“The two lads (Parkes and De Vries) have to come in from a training point of view in the next week or so, there might be another one or two players. We’re still working behind the scenes to see if we can add anyone else.”
Rovers take on Athlone this evening (Tuesday) before they host Finn Harps at the Showgrounds on Sunday.