Soccer

Derry City boss Ruaidhri Higgins looking to make memories against Riga

Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins hopes to advance at the expense of Riga Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins hopes to advance at the expense of Riga Picture: Margaret McLaughlin Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins hopes to advance at the expense of Riga Picture: Margaret McLaughlin

Europa Conference League First Qualifying Round, second leg: Riga v Derry City (tonight, Skonto Stadium, Riga, 6pm)

Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins is looking for more special memories from the Skonto Stadium.

Over a decade ago the Limavady man's lovely cross set-up Tam McManus to secure a 1-1 draw for Stephen Kenny's men against Skonto Riga, in 2009.

While a draw would not be enough for his side tonight in the Europa Conference League against Riga, Higgins does feel City can have another memorable European evening.

"I would like that feeling again, it would be nice," he stated.

"I know that everyone will be thinking it's unachievable but I believe it's achievable and I think the first goal is crucial.

"It doesn't have to be early, but as long as we get the first one then it will be extremely interesting to see how they react, how they would deal with it and how they would approach it.

"We'll also be looking to try and get control of the game better than what we did at the Brandywell. We want to pass the ball better and the pitch over there will help us and allow us to do that."

The former Dundalk assistant manager backs his players to the hilt.

"I have complete belief in this group of players and what they can achieve," he added.

"Why can't we go out there and do something that no one else will believe that we can do.

"In some aspects the pressure is off us, the players can let themselves go and express themselves and hopefully play to their maximum potential and do something out of the ordinary."

The 37-year-old still feels that there wasn't much in last week's first leg clash and because of that his players will want to improve.

"I don't believe there was a huge amount in the game last week, I think a lot of it was scrappy," he explained.

"To concede before half-time was a sucker punch and then to concede straight after going down to ten men, was another blow, because I felt when it was 11 versus 11 at the moment when Matty (Smith) got sent-off, we were coming on top and had them pinned back for a wee spell and it looked like we might go on and get an equaliser, but there second goal knocked the stuffing out of us for a bit.

"It was really, really important not to concede a third goal because I think we would be having a different conversion now and the fact that it remained 2-0 means it gives us a wee bit of hope.

"I know people would have liked us to come out and attack a bit more at 2-0, but they would have picked us off and probably scored a third goal and then it probably would have been game, set and match, if that had happened."

The Brandywell men have injury concerns over Ronan Boyce and Cameron Dummigan, while Smith misses out through suspension.