'Talk is cheap. We have to deliver now!'
Ruaidhri Higgins backs his players ahead of huge title decider at the Brandywell tonight
Derry City vs. Shamrock Rovers
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
Tonight, 7:45pm
Ruaidhri Higgins has called on his players to deliver to an expectant Brandywell tonight, and beat Shamrock Rovers to blow the title race wide open with just six games left to play.
Derry City currently sit four points behind the champions, and anything other than victory tonight could be enough for Rovers to seal a fourth successive league title with so few games remaining.
It means the onus is on the Candystripes to get the win in what is the biggest league game for the club for a number of years.
“A few months ago, we spoke as a group about putting ourselves in a position over a period of time to set up something for ourselves, and we’ve managed to do that,” Higgins explained. “All credit goes to the players for how they’ve gone about their business the last few months, and we’ve given ourselves an opportunity.
“That’s all it is at the minute; it’s an opportunity and we’ll treat this game the way we treat every game. We won’t get too excited; we’ll be nice and calm this week and we’ll prepare the way we always prepare.”
Stephen Bradley’s side are closing in on a club record, of equalling the four-in-a-row of the Rovers team of the 1980s, and a win at the Brandywell will all but ensure that. It is a huge game for the two best teams in the country.
"They're four points ahead so that gives them an edge,” Higgins admitted. “They have a lot of experienced campaigners. A lot of lads who have been around the block a few times and real quality players who know how to get the job done but we've got players in our group who know how to win as well.
"I just think it's about being calm and not getting too excited and preparing the way we always prepare. Once you prepare right you give yourself an opportunity.
"The players are now, I feel, in the best form we've been in since the season started. For the last couple of months, we've been playing at a really high level and as long as we maintain that we'll give ourselves a really good chance.”
Importance
There is no underestimating the importance of a Derry City win tonight, with Higgins and the players hoping to bring a first league title to the Brandywell in 26 years. There has undoubtedly been significant progress in the manager’s first few seasons in charge, with City going from two points in 11 games against Rovers before he arrived, to beating them four times in various competitions in the past two seasons alone.
“I have said to anyone that will listen that this is too big of a football club,” he continued. “It was really important that we did change that mentality. Even in my first year here, when we came out of nowhere to finish in Europe, we went down to Tallaght and should have won the game.
“We were 1-0 up and they took a throw in 25-30 yards down the pitch and scored from it. We were really good in the game and I think that performance that day changed the mindset of our players, that we're capable of this.
“We have obviously added quality over the last couple of years to that as well, but there is a belief in this group that we can go toe to toe with anybody and we just need to back it up. Talk is cheap. We know that we're capable and we just have to deliver now.”
Both teams have met four times this season, with each claiming two wins apiece, and Higgins knows just what to expect from an opponent who knows how to win big games.
"Rovers have a real clarity in how they play, a real identity on how they play and they don't change for anybody and that's credit to them,” he said.
“They play attacking football, they pass the ball well and they've got real players in attacking areas, who can kill you if you switch off, so we'll have to be prepared for the threats that they offer, but also there's no doubt in my mind that they'll be concerned about one or two of our players as well.
"To be honest that's what it's all about, it's about good players, in a good venue, with a big crowd and that's what football is about.”
All eyes will be on the Brandywell tomorrow for what is potentially a title-decider, and Higgins insists that his team will not be overawed by the occasion.
“I think Stephen Bradley would be the first day to admit that we've always had a go, never really sat in against them,” Higgins stated. “The matches have been good. We've managed to turn them over a few times. They've turned us over a few times.
“There'll be no inferiority complex, that's for sure. Our players have shown in the last few months, the capacity to win big football matches and hopefully we can have that mindset and that drive going into Friday night that we can produce a really good performance. Once you produce a really good performance it gives you a chance to get the result. And that's all we can focus on.”