Shamrock Rovers boss details winter transfer plans with recruitment work already underway

Stephen Bradley admits that Shamrock Rovers’ European heroics should make it easier to land his top winter transfer targets.

Firstly, the Hoops have banked more prize money than any League of Ireland club has ever achieved in a single season, with just over €4.8m now guaranteed from UEFA.

And while they won’t be reckless in their spending, the attention that Rovers are getting thanks to their record-breaking form means it should be easier to sell the club as a destination.

Read More:Shamrock Rovers are within touching distance of €5m as Europa Conference League knockout phase looms

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Bradley revealed in the wake of Thursday’s 2-1 win against The New Saints, which put Rovers into seventh place out of 36 Europa Conference League teams, that recruitment work was already underway ahead of the January transfer window.

He said: “Those discussions will be ongoing between now and January in terms of what we can spend and where we can spend it.

“We won’t just spend for the sake of it. We’ve always been very calculated about who we’ve gone after and brought into the group. That will be the same.

“We have targets and the work has already started on those targets. Hopefully over the next four or five weeks we can start to get some of them in the door.

“We have been having ongoing talks with (chairman) Ciaran Medlar and (CEO) John Martin regarding the budget. The board needs to sit and talk then.

“Does European football help us? Do I want to keep pushing? Of course I do. I think the time you stand still, you are done.

“To be fair the club and the board have been good. They have backed us and we have performed.”

Bradley spoke again about his bid to sign striker Johnny Kenny from Celtic, after the striker netted his 17th goal of the season in Thursday’s win.

“Those discussions are ongoing with Celtic. They’re in the driving seat, what they say goes but we have a really good relationship at every level with Celtic,” he said.

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“They’re clear on my feelings on what needs to happen but all parties, Johnny included, need to sit down and make a plan that we all agree on.

“If you’re asking me would I want him back here next year, I think that’s straightforward. Of course I would.

“The finish tonight sums him up, the defender was getting to Johnny but he takes it so quickly, top corner. There are not many in the league who can finish like that, left or right foot.”

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