Shamrock Rovers out to seal Europa Conference League progression but St Pats with work to do

The Saints toiled to the slenderest of first-leg leads last week while Rovers won 4-0 on the road.

HALFWAY THERE: St. Patrick's manager Stephen Kenny celebrates after the game. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.

A glamour third-round tie against either Ole Gunnar Solskjær's Besiktas of Turkey Shakhtar Donetsk from Ukraine awaits St Patrick’s Athletic if they finish the job in Estonia on Thursday (5.45pm).

The Saints toiled to the slenderest of first-leg leads last week, taking until late on to score against a Nõmme Kalju side reduced to nine men.

If there’s a repeat of the last round against Hegelmann, when Stephen Kenny’s side kept their best form for the away leg in a 4-0 aggregate romp, they’ll progress with ease.

Even without shoulder injury victim Zack Elbouzedi joining Romal Palmer and Sean Hoare on the injured list, the Irish team should have enough depth to advance and tip their earnings over the €700,000 mark.

“We've got to be very determined and be ready to fight until the end here to get the result that we need,” said Kenny.

“We have a level-headed group. They understand we are not at the level that we can dismiss anybody, Estonian teams have traditionally been tough opposition. We have to earn the right to win.

“To win in Estonia won't be easy but the players are playing well now in the last couple of weeks and really starting to take control of the games in a good way, although we need to convert more of our chances.”

Elsewhere, Shamrock Rovers are all but assured of entering the third round, having swept to a 4-0 win away to St Joseph’s last week.

Up against Gibraltarian opponents, the Hoops won’t be concerned about an embarrassing capitulation at Tallaght (7.45pm) given the array of experience they’ve racked up as Champions League participants for the previous four years.

Stephen Bradley’s penchant for rotation will be in evidence as the league leaders keep in mind Sunday’s visit of challengers Derry City to Tallaght.

"Regardless of the team, our mentality is that it’s 0-0 so we’ll go to win the game,” said the Hoops manager.

“That’s how we’re built and how we play. That won’t change tomorrow night but we also know we have a heavy fixture load coming.

“We know we have a good squad and it’s important we use it. So it’s important we get the balance right between wanting to go and win the game. That is important for the tie but also for our coefficient within Uefa.

“We can’t underestimate that going forward. The more games you win, that’s really important for the league as a whole. That’s our aim here.”