Buckley wants two signings to bolster first team squad options

SLIGO Rovers boss Liam Buckley is seeking to bolster his first team squad. Buckley, pictured, stated that he is in the market for midfield and attacking options.

He said he expects a lot of transfer movement in the coming weeks – including at St Patrick’s Athletic, who his charges come up against tomorrow, Friday. “We do need to strengthen and I have no doubt the others will,” he said. “I am looking at a couple of players to get in to maintain our situation of competing at the top end of the table because it is a very open league this year.” “You’d expect Dundalk to eventually get on some kind of run, Bohs have found form and there are a few teams who feel there is an opportunity to keep climbing.” “I have no doubt everyone believes this is their season to achieve something.” The last meeting between Rovers and St Pat’s ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw at The Showgrounds. The two teams currently sit in second and third place and

Buckley is not surprised his old club has re-established themselves as a top side.

“We pipped them last year for the European spot, they weren’t far off and they are already up there this year.” “They are having a great season, they have signed very well and I was expecting them to be competing where they are.”

Among Pat’s winter acquisitions was Ronan Coughlan who arrived from the Bit O’Red. Buckley discussed the forward’s departure, suggesting that there was an expectation he would stay with Rovers for 2022 after securing European qualification.

“At the end of the season everyone is judged. He left for his new challenge, it was disappointing the manner in which it played out but it created an opportunity for Johnny Kenny to come in and he has done fantastically well.”

“Speaking with Ronan up to the end of the season it was always about European football, we were in Europe and I found it surprising [that he moved on], but it is what it is.”