'Bring it on': Russell hoping Shels can deliver in 'amazing' Ajax tie

Shelbourne head coach John Russell. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

The ‘Sold Out’ signs went up at Tolka Park yesterday for next week’s return leg but in Amsterdam tonight, Shelbourne will hope they can do enough to stay alive against Ajax and give those fans a true sense of occasion in Drumcondra.

But first things first. 

Ajax may be the four-time European champions and long-time kingpins of Dutch football but there is good reason why they are languishing in the Europa Conference League, having only finished fifth in the Eredivisie last season, 28-points adrift of PSV.

They have spiralled since winning the league in 2021/22, a shadow of their former selves finishing third, fifth, second and fifth again in that time. Ten different figures have occupied the managerial hot seat - both permanent and temporary - since former Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag left for Old Trafford in 2022.

While Ajax are striving to rekindle a spark, Shelbourne are also looking to rediscover their swagger having fallen flat this season. 

New manager John Russell is still bedding in and has the 6-4 aggregate win over Nomme Kalju to cling to even if it was error strewn at times, particularly after blowing a lead in Estonia to lose the second-leg.

But sizing up the task against Ajax, Russell said: “This is an amazing game for us, and for the fans travelling over. I was disappointed not to give them a win in Estonia last week, but we’re through and this is a massive game to look forward to, so bring it on.” 

Russell continued: “It was disappointing to lose (1-0 away to Waterford) on Sunday but we have enough quality in that dressing room to go and win games of football. That belief is there from me and the staff - and we have to pick the players up.” 

Meanwhile, Bohemians supporters have been urged to bring the noise to their temporary base of Tallaght Stadium tonight, knowing that Danish side Midtjylland are ready to unleash some heavy metal football on the Gypsies.

Midtjylland boss Mike Tullberg spent six years coaching and managing at Borussia Dortmund with their Under-19 and reserve teams, before a spell as first-team caretaker last year.

His counterpart, Alan Reynolds, has warned his players about the Danish outfit’s aggressive, high-tempo approach out of possession, likening Tullberg’s style to Jurgen Klopp’s old Dortmund sides, and Liverpool.

“They want to get the ball in the box, long throws, set pieces, crossing from wide areas, so that’s a little bit different from what you would face in some European games,” he said.

"We're facing a calibre of opposition our players have never faced before. It’s a team full of internationals and proper athletes, who have had an exceptional record in Europe over the past number of years. This will be a step up like no other for us.” 

To stand any chance of landing a blow over the two legs, Bohemians will need to sharpen their attack from Sunday’s 1-1 league draw at home to Galway United, when they notched 27 scoring attempts but couldn’t convert enough of them to win.

Not that Cian Byrne is overly concerned, as Bohemians are the joint-highest scorers - with St Patrick’s Athletic - in the Premier Division this season with 41 goals, while they have scored six times in two Conference League ties to date against opposition from Kosovo and Gibraltar.

But Midtjylland are a considerable step up, despite dropping into this competition on the back of last week’s 3-0 Europa League aggregate defeat to Beşiktaş of Turkey.

The Danes - who have 11 internationals from nine countries in their ranks - have made the Europa League group phase in three of the last four seasons and beat Celtic 3-1 last season before losing to Nottingham Forest on penalties in the Round of 16, having already beaten the Premier League side 3-2 in the league phase.

Bohs defender Byrne, who scored a penalty in last week’s shootout win away to Ballkani, said: “We know where their threats will be, but we’ve a game plan. Hopefully that’s good enough on the night and we can bring a positive result over there.” 

Byrne added: “We knew if we got this far in Europe that we wouldn’t be able to play in Dalymount with the UEFA requirements. You would love to have it there as it’s our home, but we can get more fans here (Tallaght) to give us an extra push.”