Tuesday night’s match against the Bulgarian Champions kicks off at 8pm. Tickets remain on sale for the East Stand only. The match will be streamed live on LOITV as an SRFCTV production
How frustrated was everyone with the draw with Drogheda?
“It was frustrating because leading with a few minutes to go, nine times out of ten we see that out but we didn’t, so we are frustrated. But we wanted to pick up a result. It wasn’t three points, it was one but we take that and we move on.”
We had the extra day of recovery but there was a lot of travelling involved to and from Bulgaria. Do you feel that contributed to why we looked flat on the day?
“Of course it did, when you come back from all that travelling but that’s where we want to be. We want to be playing in big games every few days but no excuses, we obviously weren’t at our best. We were winning the game but unfortunately, we couldn’t see it out.”
Were Sean Kavanagh’s man of the match performance and a confidence boosting goal for Aidomo Emakhu two positives to take from it, as they combined for the goal?
“I thought Sean was brilliant all game. He was very good and when he went left back he gave us a real threat. And I’m delighted for Aidomo to get his first goal of the season. I’m absolutely delighted for him because he’s had to be patient. He’s shown glimpses of what he can do. He scored a great goal and possibly should have had another one but I’m delighted he’s off the mark.”
It’s a big ask from three goals down against Ludogorets. What is the best way to approach the second leg?
“We have to approach it with the mentality that we go to win the game. Like we knew over there, it’ll be difficult because you’re playing against a very good side but we’ve got to approach it that we have to go and try and win the game.”
What were Ludogorets’ strengths from the first leg that we will need to deal with again in Tallaght?
“Nothing that we didn’t know before the game over there. What they brought on the night was exactly what we felt they would be, with some really dangerous, attacking players but I think we showed in large parts of the second half that we can go and hurt them. We’ve got to bring that into the game, play to our levels and see where it takes us.”
Have we shown in Europe even when we’re underdogs at home what we’re capable of, Apollon and Slovan Bratislava for example, with the fans behind us we can beat anyone on our own turf?
“I think we’ve shown that on a number of occasions and I’m sure on Tuesday we can show that again. We know what we’re up against but we know Tallaght will be full and we’ve had some special nights in Tallaght. Hopefully, we can have another one on Tuesday night.”
In terms of injuries and suspensions, Jack Byrne wasn’t involved on Saturday and Pico Lopes came off holding his knee in the second half. What’s the latest?
“No suspensions but Jack and Pico, we’ll have to check on them on Monday morning.”
