Manager Ruaidhrí Higgins states he hasn’t set any targets, as leaders Derry City take on Galway United, at Eamonn Deacy Park, tonight.
The Foylesiders moved above Shelbourne into top spot for the first time since March, but Higgins just wants his players to focus on one game at time, starting with this evening’s clash against the Tribesmen.
“I don’t think you can set yourself any targets because you look at the Drogheda result last week and I’ve already said if Drogheda where to go down. I think they go down as the best team ever to get relegated,” he explained.
“I genuinely believe that, I think they’re a really good side. You can’t pinpoint any game because you will get done and it’s an unforgiving league. The second we start doing stuff like that is the second to forget about it. We have to approach every game and try to win it; if we don’t win it, then we try to win the next one, and that’s the way we’ll go.” Damien Duff’s side have drawn their last three league games, which gave the Foylesiders the chance to move into pole position, but the Derry gaffer doesn’t feel his side have a psychological advantage now that they sit top of the Premier Division table.
“No, not really because I remember the game, I think it was in April, had we lost down at Shelbourne we would have gone 11 points behind. We’ve now clawed it back to level points which is fantastic,” he added.
“We’re just delighted that we’ve clawed it back to where we are. But it gives you absolutely nothing with eight games to go.
“You have to go and take care of your business but being top or being second doesn’t really faze us, we just need to stay calm and focus on the next one.” Derry may welcome back midfielder Patrick McEleney and Higgins believes his captain’s experience along with the likes of Pat Hoban, Michael Duffy, Mark Connolly, Paul McMullan and Daniel Mullen will be crucial in the run-in.
“It’s extremely important. We’ve also got staff who have been around league winning dressing rooms, and I think there’s a real calmness about the group at the minute and they’re enjoying it, and long may continue,” explained the 39-year-old.
“Patrick has an appointment with the specialist this week, so we’ll have far more clarity after that, but he’s, he’s been doing a lot of work, a lot of training. “I can’t explain enough the influence that Patrick has on the group. He’s such a leader people might not see it, but he’s such a leader, he’s such a competitor. He is desperate to win and you can’t put a price on that.
“Even when he’s not on the pitch contributing, he’s a major contributing factor in the background.
“The players look up to him, they acknowledge what a career he’s had so far but he’s still not done yet
“Whether he is on the pitch or off it he has a major role to play, but hopefully we can see more of that role on the pitch between now and the end of the season.”
Elsewhere tonight in the Premier Division, bottom side Dundalk host Shelbourne. Tomorrow night Sligo Rovers, who suffered a humiliating 7-0 loss at Drogheda United last Friday, entertain Waterford.
On Sunday, there’s an early 11.30am kick-off to the big Dublin derby as Bohemians face Shamrock Rovers, at Dalymount Park and St Patrick’s Athletic have home advantage over Drogheda, later in the evening.
In the First Division tonight, leaders Cork City take on bottom side Longford Town; UCD travel to Kerry; Bray Wanderers face Treaty United and Wexford come up against Athlone Town, at Ferrycarrig Park.
