Shelbourne manager Joey O’Brien has urged his players to write their own chapter of European history as they embark on their Champions League qualifying campaign at home to Linfield this evening.
O’Brien, who recently replaced Damien Duff as the manager of the League of Ireland champions, has experienced big European nights as a player with both Bolton Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers.
The former Ireland international made his first ever start for Bolton in the UEFA Cup before featuring for Rovers across three European campaigns, and is now facing the prospect of European football as a manager.
A win for Shels against Linfield over two legs would earn them a guaranteed €2m and progression to the second qualifying round of the Champions League, and O’Brien is eager to see his players make their mark on the big stage.
“They’re great nights when you look back on your career when you’re done.” he said. “You play a lot of league games but for me it’s the European games that I look back on with how special they are.
“It’s about the performance and about winning. You don’t want to be remembered as a loser.
“It’s about the players at a quarter to eight tomorrow night, that’s what I’m looking forward to, looking at our players putting their best foot forward, really attacking the game and putting in a great performance. They have to show their ability to everyone.”
The financial implications of the tie are huge for Shelbourne and a win would not only see them move on in the qualifying rounds but help their chances of group stage European football, whether in the Champions League or another competition.
O’Brien insists that the squad are well aware of what is at stake and he’s confident that they can deal with the expectations that comes with playing at this level.
“I think everyone understands,” he said. “It shouldn’t be pressure, it’s not about pressure, it’s about the buzz and the enjoyment.
“These are the games that you want to play as a footballer. Sometimes you play league games, especially over here when you play each other so many times year in, year out, you get so familiar with teams and opposition players.
“By playing someone different and the mix of European football and European sides, that’s why they’re so special and that’s why you remember them.
“It’s over to the lads now and I just can’t wait for the game, for the boys to attack it and hopefully we’ll get the result if they do.
“When we play anyone here, we’re here to win and we’ll go out to attack the game to win, that’s not going to change.”
