O’Neill believes Hoops’ dreams can come true

BELIEF in themselves and the confidence garnered from their adventures in Europe to date are what will give Shamrock Rovers every chance of causing an early upset in Group A of the Europa League tonight.

That was the buzz around Dublin 24 last night as a League of Ireland side takes their historic first steps in the group stages of a European competition. And while Rovers manager Michael O’Neill was under no illusions of the step up in class Russian side Rubin Kazan represent, he stressed all the expectation is on Kurban Berdyev’s visitors in front of what should be a packed to its new 8,500 capacity Tallaght Stadium.

“I think past performance gives us belief, gives us confidence,” said O’Neill. “We’ve played 10 European fixtures now and in no game have we been totally outclassed and not been capable of getting a result — Juventus, Copenhagen, Partizan, even Yehuda were a top side.

“That gives us the belief to say why not go further and take points off teams in the group stages as well? We’ve shape, discipline, belief and confidence. I believe we’re capable, particularly at home, of gathering points. We have a chance tonight to prove that.

“Equally, we’re not in a two-legged tie any more and that should help us play in a slightly more relaxed fashion.

“It’s a big ask against opposition that takes us up a level. But we’ll make no prediction about what we’ll be satisfied with.”

Russian champions in 2008 and 2009, Rubin, runners-up last year, possess excellent recent pedigree, epitomised by their being the last team to beat reigning European champions Barcelona at the Nou Camp, 2-1 in October 2009. Seven of the side that played in that game are in Tallaght tonight.

A league of nations, with 12 different nationalities in the squad, Rubin ooze quality, led from midfield by their Ecudoran skipper Christian Noboa, in attack by Paraguayan star Nelson Valdez and with ex-Newcastle United man Obefami Martins on the wing.

Valdez and Martins — the Nigerian star who cost Rubin €17 million from Wolfsburg — have almost 100 caps and 30 international goals between them.

Somewhat thankfully, recent €13m signing, Finland schemer Roman Eremenko, is cup-tied.

Rovers’ midfielder Stephen Rice, however, stressed that he and his teammates will again relish their underdogs tag.

“I think all the games we’ve gone into as underdogs, except Tallinn,” said Rice. “It helps to be underdogs, but we realise we have to be at our maximum to get a result.

“I think concentration is a massive thing in Europe when you go up a level. We learned that when we played Copenhagen and Partizan. You can’t switch off for a second and Rubin will be no exception,” added Rice, who says the players will draw on their achievement of beating FK Partizan against all the odds in the play-off round.

“Obviously winning in a place like Belgrade brought confidence to everyone in the squad and the club.

“We’re taking each game as it comes. We’ll focus on this one first and hope to get a result.”

Having defensive midfielder Conor McCormack back fit is a plus for O’Neill as he ponders his starting 11. Central defender Ken Oman and striker Dean Kelly remain out injured, however.

“I don’t think we can set a target,” said O‘Neill on what Rovers might get from their six group games and whether they are realistically capable of being one of the two qualifiers from a group which also contains Tottenham and Greek side PAOK.

“It would be foolhardy to say we want X amount out of points out of the group.

“People have to realise what it’s taken for us to be here and to stage the games here. The experience for us is to go and enjoy it.

“We’re paddling furiously beneath the water to make these things happen and compete as a team. We believe we can take points in the competition. There would be no point in taking part if that wasn’t the case.”

SHAMROCK ROVERS (probable): Thompson; Sullivan, Sives, Murray, Stevens; McCormack; Sheppard, Rice, Finn, Ricketts; Twigg.