Aaron Callaghan says Bohemians’ pre-season training could not be going any better, writes FRANKIE LALLY.
The Bohs boss watched his side follow up Saturday’s 5-1 thumping of Longford Town with a 5-2 win over Dublin side Hardwicke at IT Blanchardstown on Monday evening.
Unperturbed by the ongoing upheaval in the club’s pre-season fixture list, Callaghan is delighted with what he has seen so far and insists he is unlikely to make any late additions to his squad before the league season gets under way next month.
He explained: “We have 26 in the squad at the moment and that is us closed now…”
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“That was a very good game against Hardwicke. We were very lively and I’m happy with what I saw.
“It was the first game for a lot of those players, Dave Mulcahy being one, and at this stage it’s about giving game time to everyone in the squad.
“It’s all starting to take shape now. We’ve had a really good pre-season so far and the fitness levels are good. It’s about fine-tuning our tactical organisation now.”
With the loss of key centre-backs Kevin Feely and Evan McMillan to Charlton and Sligo Rovers respectively, Callaghan has had plenty of tinkering to do to find the right balance at the back.
Dave Scully has been tested at centre-back in recent weeks and Callaghan reckons the 28-year-old could be an option in the heart of defence alongside the experience of Stephen Paisley, a closed-season capture from Shelbourne.
Callaghan said: “Dave has played centre-back before – he was playing there when he went to Carlisle United. He’s a threat from set-pieces too and I think he is quite capable of playing in both positions.
Early-season illness and injuries are a concern for the Gypsies boss, however, as both Karl Moore and Shane Murray were forced to sit out Monday’s game.
He said: “Injury-wise, Shane has a viral infection and Kevin Devaney has an ankle problem.
“Karl Moore,who started pre-season well, has an infection too so he has been off for the last 10 days.”
Callaghan saw new signing Paisley net twice in Wednesday’s emphathic win and reckons the 29-year-old’s experience could prove vital at Dalymount Park this year.
He added: “Stephen makes a difference. He’s scored goals from centre-back all through his career.
“When we lost Kevin and Evan, we lost a bit of height. We needed to get a bit of that back – as well as some experience – so we waited and got Stephen. I’m delighted he has signed.”
