ICONS WON’T ALL GO

“I liked how they played it and it was something I took notes on all those years back.

“It was a system I liked because it allows you to create overloads in many areas of the pitch which allows freedom within your structure.

“They just have their own way of playing (in Belgium), their own system and their own principles.

“It was really interesting just to get a different outlook on how they do things and why they do it that way.

“It was more geared to the development of youth players and how they do it because they’ve had a golden generation.”

Tonight, Rovers will need to improve their away form if they are to post any more points on the board after last week’s opening draw at home to Djurgardens.

Sobering

Heavy defeats in the qualifying rounds away to Ludogorets and Ferencvaros serve as a sobering warning.

Jack Byrne could start after returning to form and fitness after injury issues and Bradley warns: “Gent are better than Djurgardens but different in how they play.

“Their No 8 (Vadis OdjidjaOfoe), who plays in behind the two front boys, is as good technically as anything you will see.

“He is both footed and really, really good on the ball and makes things happen. He’s a real creative force.”

Over 1000 Shamrock Rovers supporters have travelled to a wet Gent and Bradley says: “This is going to be our tenth European game (this summer) and we’ve obviously had a lot of domestic games and we’ve had tremendous support in all of them.

“They’ve made the effort to come here and I know they’re flying in from all around Europe to get here and then getting trains and buses.

“It’s incredible support and hopefully we can put on a performance that they’ll be proud of.”

WALES’ core of ageing veterans have “promised” boss Rob Page that they will not all quit together.

Skipper and record scorer Gareth Bale heads a group of key stars — Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Wayne Hennessey and Chris Gunter — who are all in their 30s.

After moving to MLS side Los Angeles,

Bale said that he aims to play for Wales at Euro 2024.

Stay

But several teammates have been tipped to retire following the World Cup, which may be a last hurrah for some after Wales qualified for the first time in 64 years.

Boss Page said: “We want Gareth to stay involved as long as he can.

“All the guys are aware of the culture, so I don’t think there is going to be a mass of six or seven leave.”