Ajax could await but Shelbourne focussed first on knocking out Nomme Kalju

“My job is to get the best of this group and start winning matches,” said new boss John Russell.

Shelbourne manager John Russell, left, speaking during Shelbourne media conference at Tolka Park in Dublin. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile.

Romantic notions of Total Football against Ajax in the next round of the Conference League await Shelbourne but a win, through any means, against Nomme Kalju on Thursday is the first priority for new boss John Russell.

His first game at at the helm last Friday concluded in unwanted familiar fashion, an FAI Cup elimination at First Division Kerry, but at least the newcomer should have Kerr McInroy and JJ Lunney back in midfield for his Tolka Park bow (7.45pm).

The Estonians were knocked out of this European competition by St Patrick’s Athletic last season but enjoyed a successful return to the territory last week when edging Linfield in extra-time of the first round.

Russell knows all about their threat, having penned his Uefa Pro License coaching course thesis on Estonian footballing culture, but moreover is aware of the quality in the squad he inherited from the sacked Joey O’Brien.

That the former Ireland international brought the Reds through the hurdles into the Conference League group phase last term couldn’t save his job midway through this campaign.

Shels sounded out Linfield boss David Healy but ultimately went for Russell, widely lauded for working wonders on the lowest budget of any Premier Division club at Sligo Rovers.

“My job is to get the best of this group and start winning matches,” said the Galwayman ahead of a leg that should attract a capacity crowd of around 5,000.

“I know this group of players from managing against them.

“Sometimes a season can go away from you with injuries and loss of form and all that. But they’ve won trophies and reached European group stages so that’s my ambition of this team.”

Their injury crisis last week spread to include both goalkeepers, forcing Russell to recruit former Derry City stopper Eddie Beach from Kilmarnock.

Strikers Seán Boyd and Mipo Odubeko are missing while defender Odhrán Casey carries over a suspension from his spell at Cliftonville.

“I was up in Windsor Park last week for their first-round game, so it was useful seeing them in the flesh,” continued the manager.

“We control how we play in and out of possession. There’ll be a game-plan that we’ve got to execute that and I want us playing with a real energy and aggression.“

Only by doing that can they contemplate facing former European Cup winner Ajax in the next round. That will be the outcome if Shels prevail and the Dutch side see off Serbian outfit Vojvodina Novi Sad.

Meanwhile, Athlone Town’s women are into the final of their Champions League mini-group against either Czarni Sosnowiec or Georgia's WFC Nike on Saturday evening (5pm, Irish time).

The Irish champions, managed sicker last month by international midfielder Lily Agg, swept past Macedonian side ZFK Skopje 4-0 at Zagłabiowski Park Sportowy in the Polish city of Sosnowiec in Wednesday morning’s semi-final.

Shauna Brennnan got the mismatch underway with a 19th minute opener before Noelle Murray’s header just before half-time extended their cushion.

Dana Scheriff and Michaela Hand added two more in the second half to complete the rout.