Derry City winger McMullan looking for 'a wee bit extra' against Rovers

Paul McMullan believes that Derry City will have to raise their game beyond their performance against Shelbourne last week to get the better of Shamrock Rovers.

While the Candystripes were impressing on their way to the FAI Cup semi-finals, the champions took six points from two games to close within range of Derry City and Shelbourne at the top.

There is a massive incentive for Rovers to beat Derry tomorrow night, which makes this arguably the most dangerous game of the title run-in for Ruaidhri Higgins and his players.

But after performing so well against Shels last week, McMullan is confident that he and his team mates can step it up another level again.

“They're a good side, there's no two ways about it,” he said. “We're going to have to bring what we've brought out there and maybe a wee bit extra but in that dressing room we're a close group and we're looking forward to the challenge and we can't wait again for Friday.”

“Every game for us is now huge, we're right in the business at the end of the season and we've not really got any games that we can have a mistake. We need to be at it all the time and that starts Friday.”

With Shelbourne facing Galway tomorrow night, it is set to be an interesting weekend in what is now definitively looking like a three-way title race. Rovers will definitely feel the title is back within their reach.

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“I think there's a chance and I don't blame them,” McMullan continued. “I don't know how many leagues they’ve won, there's four leagues in a row or something, so they're never going to die away quietly and it's going to be a tough game out there and like I said we've got to bring our ‘A’ game if we want to get three points and get closer to their aspirations.”

Starting the game strongly was key to the victory over Shelbourne last week, particularly after six successive draws, and McMullan believes the same attitude will be needed again for a huge clash at the Brandywell.

“I definitely think that's what you should always be looking to do is to start well and lay your marker down,” he added. “I felt like we did that and the game followed that suit. There wasn't really too many swings and things in the game. I don't remember them having any real big chances in the game and like I said, we could have scored another couple.”

“I think it's probably more important for us before going into the next game. You want to continue doing what we've done there and the next game is obviously a big game for us again and with it being at home it's a good feeling. Hopefully we get all the crowd behind us after the night and we can go again and have another good night.”

Much-improved

One huge factor on Derry City’s side this week is a much-improved home form which has brought 12 ins in 17 games in all competitions. In a season of too many ups and downs, consistency now, more than ever, is needed if the season is to end with silverware.

“We've stuck at it,” McMullan insisted. “We’ve stuck together, we've come in for a lot of criticism and sometimes rightfully so but we're a strong group, we're a close group and hopefully that shows it in the pitch and hopefully come the end of the season we'll be rewarded for that.”

POINT TO PROVE … Derry City have failed to beat Shamrock Rovers in six games. (Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile)

It was a busy week on and off the pitch for McMullan last week, whose partner gave birth to daughter Maeve. It was a week of new arrivals at the Brandywell with Danny Mullen’s partner also giving birth. Dad Paul was photographed with his son Patrick on the Brandywell pitch after the win over Shelbourne, a poignant moment after an unforgettable week in the McMullan household.

“It was a busy week,” he acknowledged. “I had mines on Tuesday and I think Danny had his on Thursday. To be fair, my partner took a lot of the workload especially the last couple of days to try and let me rest and both of us have got our family and our parents over to give us a wee helping hand and that's been massive.”

McMullan currently holds a remarkable record of 54 consecutive appearances since joining the club last summer, never missing a single game through injury or suspension, and he wants that number to continue to grow, especially at such an important stage of the season.

“Definitely,” he said. “You want to be available, you want to have a chance to get playing and thankfully since I've been here I've been lucky in that aspect and long may it continue.”