DERRY City manager Ruaidhrí Higgins is hoping his side can start to find their rhythm as they prepare to face champions Shamrock Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night.
It will be second time in a matter of weeks that the sides have met, and Higgins is confident his players are up for the challenge.
“We’re 10 games into a 36-game season and I’m sure sooner rather than later we’ll find that level of consistency that we need,” he said.
“Head to head games against Rovers are big games and they’re great games to be involved in. “They know how to win leagues and they’ve set the standards for everyone else in the country.
“The crowd really gets up for it as well and we’ll need that on Friday night. When you see the quality they have in their group and if you look through the whole league, nobody really has shown - bar Shelbourne for that period - an unbelievable level of consistency. “It has been frustrating, but there’s been positive signs in the last couple of weeks. I think we had a really good one here against Dundalk, we played some good stuff and then for an hour or so last week [at Drogheda United].”
Just over a month ago Markus Poom’s stoppage time header earned the Hoops a share of the spoils against City in what was an entertaining 2-2 at Tallaght Stadium, and the Derry gaffer is expecting another exciting clash this time around.
“They have a real identity and they’ve had it for years now. They have a way of playing and they very rarely deviate from that. “There’s real match winners on both teams, so hopefully we can put in a good display and get our supporters off their seats.” Elsewhere on Friday night, league leaders Shelbourne - who haven’t won in their last three games - travel to Galway United. Bohemians, who are aiming for their third victory on the bounce, host Drogheda United, managerless Dundalk make the trip to Sligo Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic host Waterford.
In the First Division, UCD take on Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park, Kerry entertain Athlone Town and Bray Wanderers face Treaty United, while on Saturday night leaders Cork City come up against Longford Town at Bishopsgate.
