SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Derry City v Shamrock Rovers (tonight, 7.15pm, live on RTé2)
DERRY City boss Ruaidhri Higgins hopes a change of dug-out and changing room will continue to work as they prepare to welcome champions Shamrock Rovers to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Monday night.
The encounter is already a sell-out and Higgins hopes their change of scenery at the Brandywell will benefit his squad.
“People, myself included, just wanted a change of scenery,” he insisted after Friday night’s win over St Patrick’s Athletic.
“We prepared completely differently for the game tonight, we went somewhere different before coming to the Brandywell. We changed dug-out, changing rooms and where we warmed up. I just wanted a complete change of scenery.
“If that’s what’s done the trick then brilliant, but I’m not so sure. Football managers are known to be superstitious and I’m probably one of them.”
The Limavady man will be hoping his side can continue their recent good form against the Tallaght men.
City are going for their fourth win in five games against Stephen Bradley’s men – but he knows it’s going to be a tough game against the Hoops.
“It’s a big game, they’re all big,” he added.
“Tonight and last Friday and in a large percentage of the Dundalk game, we can take great satisfaction from them.
“We just need to keep going. We have a wee bit of momentum again which is great. The players are confident and itching to go.
“We know we’re coming up against an excellent team, a really outstanding team and we need to be at our best to win.
“Our attitude will be the same on Monday night as it always is. We don’t look to sit in or hold on, we go in trying to win and pick up three more points and our supporters have a huge role to play.”
Derry go into the encounter with midfield duo Patrick McEleney and Will Patching both expected to miss out with Achilles and calf injuries respectively, but on the plus side Cameron Dummigan is close to forcing his way back into the squad.
While all eyes will be on the Brandywell tonight, leaders Bohemians, will be looking to bounce back from Friday evening’s surprise draw at bottom side UCD when they host Cork City.
St Patrick’s Athletic entertain Sligo Rovers, Damien Duff’s Shelbourne travel to Drogheda United and Dundalk take on UCD at the Bowl.
In the First Division, Galway United, incredibly, are looking for their 12th straight victory in-a-row when they travel to Longford Town, Waterford face Wexford, Bray Wanderers have home advantage over Treaty United and bottom side Kerry visit Cobh Ramblers.
