Conor Levingston says Bohemians are relishing the opportunity to have a crack at rivals Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght tomorrow.
Bohs started the second half of the season with three points in a Dublin derby against Shelbourne last week as Dawson Devoy’s long-range effort was enough to secure victory for Keith Long’s side, who played the last 40 minutes with just ten men.
But the temperature will ratchet up a notch when Bohs travel to take on league leaders in Dublin 24.
Levingston said: “These are massive games. We all know that. They’re huge and mean so much to everyone involved.
“For us though it’s about working on our play and what we are going to do.
“We have a big job ahead but one we are looking forward to.
“It is a massive opportunity for us to go and put in a good performance in front of a packed house in Tallaght. We are looking forward to giving it a good crack.”
Bohs were two weeks without football prior to last Friday’s win over Shels.
Levingston admits the squad took that time to regroup and to start afresh.
He said: “We all went away for a few days and had a chance to rest and recover.
“It had been a tough start to the season and it was beneficial to have some time off.
“We came back and worked really hard then when we came back in.”
That hard work paid off with a hard-fought win over Damien Duff’s Shels, despite going a man down on 55 minutes when Ciarán Kelly saw red.
Levingston said: “Conceding late goals was something that has been hanging over us but the lads dug deep.
“Going down to 10 men is never easy but we were able to grind it out which is what we had to do.
“When you dig in and work hard, you can get your bit of luck.
“They hit the bar at the end and maybe that’s the little bit of luck we hadn’t been getting in previous games.”
Manager Long agreed. He said: “It was a hard-fought win, and in a Dublin derby, and it was a great way to come back to play in that derby too.
“It was important to get the second half of the season off to a winning start at home.
“Shelbourne had a great chance when Shane Farrell flashed in a great cross from the right-hand side and Gavin Hodgins was probably a bit unlucky.
“But we deserved that bit of luck towards the end that we haven’t gotten in previous games.”
Long was also delighted with the performance of goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan who kept a clean sheet on his debut in the absence of James Talbot, who suffered a shoulder injury in training while on international duty with Ireland.
Long said: “He has been very patient but he has obviously been behind an exceptional keeper, so he’s had to wait patiently in the wings and has been very professional since he came to the club.
“He has trained extremely hard and is a very clever, down to earth fella.
“Nothing really fazes Tadhg, so we weren’t really concerned for him to come into a game of that nature with a bit of pressure on us.
“He did very well to keep a clean sheet and it’s a reward for his patience and perseverance but also his professionalism because the boys will tell you he trains at a really high standard and I’m glad for him.”
Long will be hoping for a similar solid performance at the back to provide a platform for his attacking players to flourish.
He added: “If we click, that front four are as good as any in the league. But we have to click a little bit more often than we have been doing and that has been the missing piece.
“We have to be consistent. It’s very difficult when you’re going to Tallaght, to the league leaders. But we are looking forward to it now.”
TEAM NEWS
Bohemians are without Ciarán Kelly following his red card against Shelbourne but Tyreke Wilson returns from suspension.
James Talbot (shoulder) and Grant Horton (knee) remain out.
Please note that tonight’s game is being shown on the big screen in the Members’ Bar at Dalymount Park for those who cannot make the trip to Tallaght.
