Russell looks at
BIT O’SMOKE: The start of last Saturday’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixture between north-west rivals, Sligo Rovers and Derry City, is delayed as the referee and players wait for the smoke to clear after flares were let off by the visiting fans at The Showgrounds. The game ended 0-0 in what was the first home game of the season for Rovers.
SLIGO Rovers boss John Russell wants the positives of last Saturday’s home draw with Derry City to be replicated in upcoming SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division games against Shelbourne and Dundalk.
Rovers welcome Shels to The Showgrounds tomorrow, Friday, night on the back of a resilient performance at the same venue against Derry – in front of an attendance of over 4,300 – while Monday brings a trip to Dundalk’s Oriel Park.
“We have two tough games coming up – we’ll think about Shelbourne first, they’ve had a good start to the season. They are a good team and they’ve recruited well,” said Russell of a Shelbourne side who defeated champions Shamrock Rovers last weekend.
“We’ll be looking forward to them [Shelbourne] coming down to Sligo and hopefully we’ll have another good big crowd.”
Rovers’ ability to absorb pressure against Derry and minimise the opportunities for striker Pat Hoban meant that Russell praised his side’s defensive work.
He added that he reminded the players to put on a big performance in front of the home support, who turned out in droves for the first home competitive fixture of 2024.
“Our defence was really good and we dealt with their set-plays and crosses into the box. Ed McGinty was immense – I think he is the best [goalkeeper] in the Men’s Premier Division.
“To get him back is a huge boost for us. He isn’t just a top goalkeeper he is also really good in the dressing-room. He has got a really strong mentality, he wants to win matches.”
He continued: “There was a good shape and structure about us. I said to the lads before the game that we are playing at home in front of a big crowd and all the fans want is for us to give 100% and make sure that the players leave everything on the pitch. I think we did that.”
With two draws from two games, Rovers have had a reasonable start but Russell maintained that he and the players set out to win these fixtures and that they’ll be looking to win their upcoming games as well.
“We want to win matches – we wanted to win against Bohs and we nearly did. Against Derry the aim was to get three points.
“Yes, we know we were up against a top side but I think we have top players as well. It was disappointing not to get