Kenny puts hope in 'Brandywell factor'

Derry manager Stephen Kenny hopes the “Brandywell factor” will give his side a fighting chance against French giants Paris St Germain tonight.

Having reached the first round of the UEFA Cup with a shock win over Swedish side Gothenburg and a comprehensive victory over Gretna, there was talk of Derry’s home leg being switched.

The Candystripes are unbeaten at home this season and even though PSG were keen to get the game moved to Dublin’s Lansdowne Road, around 3,000 supporters will squeeze into the Brandywell to roar their side on.

Kenny believes the passionate home support will be a key factor for his side.

He told The Belfast Telegraph: “The way everyone has got behind the team and the way that the players have responded has been incredible.

“Playing the game at the Brandywell was important, not just because of our record there this season, but because it inspires the team.”

When Kenny picks that team he will have no injury worries to concern him.

He will have Pat Jennings, son and namesake of the Northern Ireland legend, in goal, with former Rochdale winger Pat McCourt, who once interested Kevin Keegan at Manchester City, pushing for inclusion.

PSG are determined not to go the way of Gothenburg and even dispatched a coach to film the set-up at the Brandywell, including the changing rooms.

But Kenny has been similarly thorough and took in Marseille’s 3-1 win at the Parc des Princes at the weekend.

“They (PSG) were much the better team in the first half and looked very hungry, playing at a high tempo,” he added.

“At that stage I was thinking it would have been so much better if we were playing Marseille.

“But they lost their way very early in the second half and Marseille were much the better team.”