Returning Gill ‘frightened’ by players’ competitive streak

WHEN John Gill returned to Oriel Park last month as first team coach, he knew he was walking into a dressing room of champions. He just didn’t know how much the current Dundalk FC squad loved winning.

Speaking to The Argus after Saturday’s President’s Cup win over Cork City, the 55-year-old was asked what had surprised him most about a group of players who, with the exception of goalkeeper Gary Rogers, he had only seen from afar beforehand.

‘Just the determination and the competitiveness of them every day in training is frightening,’ he said.

‘They want to win everything and I’m not only talking about football. I’ve seen them play card games and take part in quizzes and it’s incredible how competitive they are but I think the great thing about them is they’re so humble and so respectful.

‘There’s lads in there sweeping the dressing room up tonight. That’s the good habits that they’ve been given. There’s no egos. They all just have the one goal which is to be successful and it’s just a privilege to be around them. I’m humbled to be around them. Them and the staff are just a great group to be around.’

Gill, who guided Dundalk out of the First Division in his last competitive league match with the club back in November 2008, said the recent pre-season trip to Spain had given him a chance to get to know the group well.

‘It was brilliant because you’re new to a group and you want to get to know them better so I did. I spent a lot of time 1v1 speaking with players.

‘I know exactly what my role is but I feel I can make a massive contribution. I’ve taken to the players and I think they’ve taken to me. There’s a respect there and I’d like to think that

they know what I can bring to the group.

‘Outside of the group, without being disrespectful, I don’t really care what people say. My focus is on trying to achieve what we achieved last year and trying to better it.

‘With this group of players and the bit of quality that we’ve brought in I feel we can do that and we’re still hopeful of adding a couple more so all is not finished yet.’

Gill said the benefits of the pre-season camp stood to the Lilywhites in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Turner’s Cross.

‘It has been a great five weeks. Spain did us a world of good. I think we got the benefit of the two games in Spain here tonight. I thought we looked very sharp. In the first half, in particular, I thought we looked very fit, very determined and we played some great football.

‘We worked on a few set pieces throughout the week which came off so that was pleasing. In the second half we showed a different type of quality where we had to dig in. We probably sat a little too deep but we defended very well.

‘We knew they’d come out in the second half like a nest of hornets but we dealt with it well overall. In the first half we showed a lot of quality on the ball and we actually did to Cork what Cork do to a lot of teams, we won a huge amount of second ball which gave us a platform to go and play.’

Now that pre-season is wrapped, Gill is looking forward to getting back in the dug out for the league opener against Sligo Rovers on Friday and feels this group have what it takes to improve on past achievements under Stephen Kenny.

‘It’s going to be special,’ he said, looking ahead to Friday’s game.

‘Even today the away support was incredible. I had it for three years and honestly, you don’t get tired of it. The hairs on the back of your neck stand on end when you hear that crowd singing.

‘I’d imagine the place is going to be thronged on Friday. I’m humbled and privileged to be asked to be part of it. I’m going to help the club and the backroom staff as much as I can but I feel it’s a really exciting time for the club.

‘No disrespect to Stephen but there’s a new invigoration about the group. They really are determined to do well and it’s special to be part of that,’ he said.