Bohs boss will have something up his sleeve for us: Higgins

RUAIDHRI Higgins will come up against one of his best friends in the game when Alan Reynolds brings Bohemians to the Brandywell tonight (7.45pm).

Derry City missed out on the opportunity to go top of the Premier Division when Sean Boyd scored a last-minute equaliser for Shelbourne on Monday night, and the Candystripes must now beat Bohemians to stay in touch at the top ahead of a huge double header against St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers next weekend.

Higgins is certain however that Reynolds will ‘have something up his sleeve’ against his old team when he brings his Bohemians team, who themselves are in desperate need of a win, to the Brandywell.

Just over a year since he left his role as Higgins’ assistant at City, Reynolds will return determined to get one over his former colleague, with Bohs on a run of just one point from their last three games.

Reynolds was a huge loss to Higgins’ staff last year, having played a pivotal role in the FAI Cup success and a second-place League finish in 2022. Despite being linked with a return to the Brandywell earlier this season, Reynolds stayed at Waterford until taking over at Dalymount Park as manager just six weeks ago.

“He’s done a good job since he’s gone in there,” Higgins said. “He’s got a good squad of players, and I’m sure he’ll look to strengthen in the summer. He knows me, he knows this club, so it’ll be an interesting game and one we’re looking forward to.”

“He’ll have something up his sleeve, but we’ll be ready for whatever they throw at us. He’s obviously had a very good coaching career, as a manager and as an assistant, and obviously with the 21s in Ireland, he’s had a really good coaching career. He’s a good man, and good luck to him, apart from Friday night.”

Meanwhile, Sadou Diallo made his long-awaited return to action on Monday night after missing 17 games, and Higgins is hopeful the midfielder, as well as others, can really have an impact when they return to full fitness.

“It’s nice to get Sads back on the pitch,” he said. “He brings a composure to our play, and he controls matches.

“It’s very, very hard for a player. To be fair, he loves his football. He’s really settled in at the club, and it’s nice.

“Obviously, it’s going to take him a bit of time to get fully up to speed, but it’s nice to see him back on the pitch the other night.

“Hopefully, we can keep him fit now, and when we get the others back, we can keep them fit, and look forward to an exciting rest of the season.”