'League is the priority' - Ruaidhri Higgins won't get distracted by Europe and FAI Cup

Ruaidhri Higgins insists that Derry City cannot lose focus of their league campaign amidst the excitement of the forthcoming Europa Conference League campaign, the FAI Cup and the summer transfer window.

The Candystripes return to action against Drogheda United at the Brandywell tonight hoping to win their fourth game in succession to keep pace with league leaders Shelbourne.

But with Europa Conference League games against FCB Magpies and potentially FC Copenhagen on the horizon, plus the imminent arrival of new players and the start of another FAI campaign, fans have had plenty to get excited about in recent weeks.

But the league remains the priority for Higgins, who believes his players will not be distracted,

“100%,” he said. “We don't play in Europe for a few weeks, we don't play in the cup for another few weeks, so it's really, really important that we stay focused, but what we do have is an experienced group here, and lads who know what it's about, so I can't see that being a problem.”

“We haven't had a Friday night game here in a while, and we won't have another Friday night game here for another while, so hopefully the supporters can come and get right behind us, because they are well educated enough in the sense that we know that Drogheda is never ever straight forward, and we'll need everybody that comes to the ground on Friday to try and get us over the line.”

Derry City are currently on their best run of form this season, having taken 10 points from the last 12 available and conceding just one goal in the last four games.

Their home form in particular has been much-improved this season, and a win over Drogheda tonight would see Higgins’ team match their total number of home wins from last season (9), with five Brandywell games still left to play.

With just 13 league games remaining overall, Higgins understands the importance of maintaining that impressive home form.

“It would be great, but we need to make sure that we achieve it on Friday night,” he warned. “It's not going to be straight forward, Drogheda have some talented players and a good management team, so if we come here with any sense of snobbery, or thinking that it's going to be straight forward, then they'll do us.”

“You look at some of the games they've had recently, they drew with Pat’s, they were 2-1 up going into injury time with Galway and lost 3-2, they were 2-0 up away to Waterford and lost the game, so they haven't been getting put away by any stretch of the imagination.

“Over the last couple of years, I think we all know that they've caused us problems, and we need to prepare properly, come here with the right mentality, and hopefully our crowd get right behind us.

Under pressure

Kevin Doherty’s team are under pressure for results, sitting bottom of the Premier Division with just one win in their last 10 league games. They face a fight for survival over the next few months, and will be hoping to repeat their win at the Brandywell from early last season. Despite their league position, Higgins is refusing to dismiss their ability to cause his team problems.  

“Hopefully we can continue the momentum, and see if we can win some more games of football,” he continued. “I am surprised at their league position, but if you look at their games in recent times, if you look at the form guide it'll look like they're really struggling, but if you actually go back and look at the games, and how the games went, then they've been extremely unlucky, and they've done a brilliant job there, but we have to focus on ourselves, and try and pick up a big three points.”