Dundalk FC's Scott High believes they can beat Galway United on Friday

Scott High was one of the heroes in Tallaght last Friday night when Dundalk held the champions Shamrock Rovers to a 1-1 draw. The midfield was exceptional and for long spells helped Dundalk keep Rovers under control.

Scott signed for Dundalk FC on 4th February and is one of eleven new signings Stephen O'Donnell has made. Scott is on loan from Huddersfield town until the summer. He has made 60 English championship appearances. Scott came through the academy system at Huddersfield. He made his first -team debut in July 2020.

Scott went out on loan to League One side Shrewsbury and Championship side Rotherham United. At Rotherham he played with another player on loan to Dundalk Ciaran McGuckin.

Scott also had a brief loan spell with Ross County. He represented Scotland at under 21 level and was the eighth signing Brian Gartland made in the run up to the start of the season.

Scott says that he is settling in well in the town of Dundalk. He says his team mates and the staff in general at Oriel have made it so easy to settle in.

Scott says there are a lot of new young faces and that it will take everybody time to settle in. The best way to do that is to be with the group and at training. Actual games will really help the young players to adjust to their new surroundings.

Coming to Dundalk was an advancement in Scott's career. As soon as he spoke to the manager Stephen O'Donnell and Brian Gartland and they had explained to him where they wanted him to play, signing for Dundalk was a no brainer, Scott said.

Gartland and O'Donnell sold the club to Scott straight away. The deal was done by Zoom. He had spoken to a number of clubs via Zoom. Dundalk was the club that stood out.

Scott said he is delighted with the way Dundalk have started their League campaign. The grit and determination really shown by the Dundalk team stood out in Tallaght for Scott.

The team has to be strong in defence and Scott said Dundalk's was top class.

The defence was an inspiration and that went through the veins of the entire team. The mentality of having to die for the badge is strongly embedded in this Dundalk team.

The self belief the team now has has got stronger and stronger. The fact that Dundalk can go up against the best team in Ireland and get a result shows how far this Dundalk team can go this season.

Dundalk will be out to avenge the 4-0 defeat by Galway in the Cup last season. This is felt by all players, even though many were not in that Dundalk team last season.

Galway are a really physical team. They have made seven new signings and kept most of the team that earned them promotion.

Scott points out that the players have been spending the week on the training pitch and in the gym learning how to break down such a physical team.

The team have also been learning how they can be strong and resilient against Galway. Scott maintains that Dundalk have been a really good group of players with which to gel . 

Scott says he is due to return to Huddersfield in June. But he has not ruled out staying with Dundalk for the rest of the season.

He says his main aim is to prove to himself and to the management team what he can do on the pitch.

He said he also has the feeling of proving himself to the rest of the team and to supporters. Scott says he wants to play as many games as he can, show what he can do and then wait and see what happens in the summer.

Scott says the main aim of his career is to play in the premiership in England. He also wants to represent his country at the highest level. He again says he wants to show everybody how good he is.

It has been a difficult road for him at times football wise in his career. He says that he has picked up injuries.

People never see how pressurising the game can be indoors. Scott said Europe is most definitely the main aim of this Dundalk team this season. This he says will be their main push.

Playing in Europe would also be a massive way for the players to showcase themselves. This is something that teams can never achieve in England below Premiership level.

The team must take each game as it comes. They must also try to aim for as many points as possible also.

The team thought they were going to get the three points against the champions after they went 1-0 up. Scott says the side wants to get the three points against Galway on Friday and he believes they can.

Stephen O'Donnell says the club will be looking out to ensure that his young players are settling in well.

He says that if anyone feels under pressure of any kind they will be looked after by the club. Scott says the manager has been great to him and all the players. He has already spoken to the manager a number of times.

The manager has played a great role in helping him settle in as he has been to all of the new players.

These players know they can speak to Stephen, Brian or any of the back room team at any time. This was great to hear. Settling into a new place always takes time and is difficult.

Ten of Dundalk's 11 new players come from outside of Ireland. It's always extra difficult to settle into a new country.

A big crowd is expected at Oriel on Friday night. Dundalk will start as favourites. But Galway will prove to be very stubborn opponents.