O’Neill out to ‘make statement’

FORMER Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton will join Michael O’Neill in the Rovers dugout for the first time since being appointed assistant manager on a temporary basis when Shamrock Rovers visit Derry tonight in the Airtricity League Premier Division (RTÉ 2, 7.35pm).

O’Neill, whose side go into the game one point ahead of second-placed St Pat’s after beating their Dublin rivals at the weekend, said: “It was a good result and performance for us, and we’ll be looking to repeat that against Derry. If we do that, it will be a big statement from us, and that’s what we intend to do.”

Karl Sheppard remains out of the Hoops squad with an ankle injury, while Conor McCormack is suspended.