Sullivan: Domestic bliss must come first

SHAMROCK ROVERS defender Pat Sullivan says winning the league will surpass their adventures in Europe — as it’s what got them there.

Rovers will retain their title if they beat UCD on Monday, if Sligo Rovers and Derry City don’t gift it to them tomorrow. For Sullivan, that’s by far a bigger game than facing PAOK in Thessalonika tonight.

“The league was always the priority,” said Sullivan.

“We said to ourselves before, that the Europa games are great but to give ourselves the best chance of being back next year, we have to win the league.”

Given their hectic schedule, preparation hasn’t always been ideal, but Rovers go into this game having had a full week off, so to speak. And boss Michael O’Neill hopes that will make a difference tonight.

“That’s huge,” said O’Neill. “Our players are playing their 54th competitive game of the season. PAOK have played just six games. We are now in a strong position in our domestic league. The mood in the squad is very good. That will lead to a positive mind set approaching the game.”

Sullivan fully agreed, stating they’ve scarcely had time to think as the matches had come Thursday-Sunday, Thursday-Sunday.

“We’ve had big games coming thick and fast,” said Sullivan. “We had a bit of a lead, then we let it slip. We were always playing catch up with Sligo and Derry playing before us. But with the week we’ve had, beating Derry, we’ve had a few days to think about this game and savour the build-up and enjoy the trip over.”

Gary O’Neill is out with a calf strain, though central defender Craig Sives is expected to be passed fit to allow O’Neill to field his strongest side.

“They have proved that they are on a par with the other two teams in the group,” said O’Neill.

“We respect that and know we’ll have a very tough game. But we’ve dealt with this in the past and dealt with it well.”

PAOK boss Laszlo Boloni is without five players, chief among them Uruguayan playmaker Pablo Garcia (groin).

“Shamrock is a team who everyone thought to be the ‘fourth’ team in the group,” said Boloni. “They really have a chance to maybe take points, but I hope not [tonight].”