DERRY City manager Kenny Shiels has a selection headache for tomorrow night’s Europa League first qualifying first leg clash against FC Midtjylland in Denmark.?Conor McDermott and Barry McNamee, who have become big players for the Candystripes in recent weeks, will both miss the encounter.?McDermott picked up a groin problem during Friday night’s defeat to Cork City, while McNamee rolled his ankle at training on Sunday and both players are expected to be out for a number of weeks.
“We just aren’t getting any luck at the minute, but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves, we have to get on with it,” admitted Shiels.?“We know it’s going to be tough, because when you look at the quality of the opposition they are a top side, but it can give us a good lift to go and play, we can use it as a learning curve for the younger players in our squad.
“The experience that they will endure will stand to them hopefully for the next part of their careers, so we have to use it for that as well as doing our best to try and progress.”
Shiels knows it’s going to be a difficult game against the Danes but he really hopes his players can keep the tie alive for next week’s return leg at the Sligo Showgrounds.?“I can’t say how we are going to perform until we get into that environment,” he added.
“Mental preparation has a big part to play in the tie in Denmark. We want to go out with a good intensity but also go out with some composure and a belief that we can achieve and move forward to the next round.?“Because away goals count double when it’s level, so obviously, we would like to get something away from home, but we have to set achievable goals and break the two legs into four parts. Firstly, in the opening 45 minutes we have to approach it by making sure we stay in the tie.?“We have to go there to try and nullify and stifle and ways for us to get through the first 45 minutes and then try to do the same after the break, so we have something to play for in the second leg would be great.
“If you look at three hours’ football against a formidable opponent like Midtjylland then it’s going to be tough, but we can’t sing them up too much, we have to think about the qualities that we have.”?Over the years, the Candystripes have had some memorable European results, most notably defeating IFK Gothenburg over a decade ago and Shiels knows it’s going to be hard to repeat that.?“It will be very difficult to emulate the top achievements and results that Derry City have achieved in Europe, but we will do our best and try to keep that tradition going. We must also try to make sure that everything we do is done professionally and the lads have been brilliant.”
