Bohemian spirit can see us mix it with Salzburg, says Fenlon

BOHEMIANS manager Pat Fenlon admits that his side go into tonight’s Champions’ League qualifier against Red Bull Salzburg as “massive underdogs” but still believes there are good reasons for thinking the League of Ireland champions and cup-holders can keep the tie alive for the return leg in Dalymount Park.

“We’re a good team, we have good players and plenty of experience, European experience,” pointed out the Gypsies boss. “When you know you have two or three players who are technically very good – when you have that going into Europe, it’s a big plus. You’re trying to change from the way you play every week to a one-off game. You have to change a little bit of the mindset about how we’re going to play – and that’s the part we have to get right tonight.

“We know they can do it, but having the balls to do it, the belief to do it is the thing. I believe they are the best group of players I have worked with and over time they have proven they have the right attitude to do it.”

There is a sense in the travelling Bohs party that the Austrian champions – Giovanni Trapattoni’s former club – might be taking the game for granted, and Pat Fenlon is hoping that Salzburg are in for a rude awakening on the artificial pitch in their 31,000 capacity home. With concerns about Bohs’ financial future well-documented, the onus on providing a shock in Austria is all the greater.

“A good result would be to get back to Dalymount with the place packed and we have a chance,” says Fenlon. “To keep it alive – you’ve a chance of going through, you’re getting good revenue, you may get good TV money. All of that is relevant to the tie.”

Bohs face into the game without skipper Owen Heary and midfielder Glen Cronin, while red-tape surrounding a new loan deal for Graham Carey means, at best, the Celtic tyro is likely to be confined to the bench.

For the home side, under new coach Huub Stevens, the key man is Austrian international Marc Janko, scorer of 39 goals in 34 league games last year.

“We want to reach the group stage with a vengeance,” Janko says. “That’s our main focus. We have great depth in our squad, so we can cope with the start of the league as well. There can be no excuses. There is so much quality in our team, so success in the league is a must as well.”

The game kicks off in Salzburg at 7.30pm Irish time.