O’NEILL ENJOYING THE EUROPEAN STAGE

“It’s great for momentum (to win against Sligo),” he said. “I can’t wait. I wish it was tomorrow.

“I hope this place is jammed to the rafters, which I’m sure it will be. It’s a mouthwatering Cup tie, we’re at home and I can’t wait to go.

“We have a bit of momentum at the minute. You enjoy winning football matches and keeping clean sheets.

“I’ve won it (the FAI Cup) twice as a player, it should have been three if I hadn’t missed a penalty (against Bohemians in 2008). But to win it as a manager would be amazing.”

GARY O’NEILL reckons Shamrock Rovers can thrive in a stress-free environment on the European stage.

The Hoops go into their second Europa Conference League group stage clash tonight when they face Gent in Belgium.

And having opened their account with a point at home to Djurgardens last week, midfield ace O’Neill believes Rovers are getting their feet under the table.

O’Neill said: “It’s just excitement, to be honest with you. I’m in a room with Ronan Finn and we were talking about it.

“It’s a bit of a more relaxed feel this time around when it’s not qualifying for the Europa League.

Competitive

“But it’s a league and we want to be competitive — and we showed against Djurgardens last week that we will be competitive in this group. It’s not something I want to come into and say ‘it’s a bonus’ — we want to be really competitive.”

The Hoops boast an unbeaten record at home in Europe after wins over Hibernians, Ludogorets, Shkupi and Ferencvaros and a draw with Djurgardens.

But their away form can be called into question after 3-0 and 4-0 defeats at Ludogorets and Ferencvaros respectively.

Gent will be formidable opponents, although their 20,000-seater stadium will only be half full on the night.

Brilliant

O’Neill said: “Our home form has been really good over the last 12 months whether that be in the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and domestically.

“It has been brilliant. Our away form has gone against us in Europe but it’s not something that we are too worried about.

“In Bulgaria, they were very good individual players whereas last week against Djurgardens as individually good as they were, it was more of a structure and a team.

“Every game has been different. You play against different players and structures every week so it’s maybe a step up but it’s something we’re enjoying.”