Stephen Bradley celebrates after Shamrock Rovers' draw with APOEL(Image: INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

Stephen Bradley reveals on-field conversations that predicted Shamrock Rovers’ Euro equaliser

Dylan Watts earned Shamrock Rovers a point in their Europa Conference League opener against APOEL.

03 Oct 2024, 22:19 by Mark McCadden · Irish Mirror

Stephen Bradley has revealed that his players convinced themselves on the pitch that they would score against APOEL on Thursday night - and he added that goalscorer Dylan Watts was the best midfielder in the country.

Trailing 1-0 and down to 10 men, and with time ticking away, it looked like Shamrock Rovers were heading for an opening night defeat.

But up popped Watts in the second minute of injury-time to secure a point for the reigning League of Ireland champions.

Bradley said: “You could hear them on the pitch telling each other that ‘we will get a chance, we will score’. You could hear them talking to each other and that was really pleasing to hear and see.

“It showed real maturity and real understanding that we just need to stay in the game. You always get a chance and we got it.

"They were zonal marking from corners and the guy in Dylan's zone is 6ft 3, and Dylan is looking up at him. He's brave to be fair and got his head on it.

“But the pleasing aspect was we knew we would get a chance and it was about staying disciplined.”

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Bradley brought on Watts along with Jack Byrne and Aaron Greene as a triple substitution in the 77th minute - and he wasn’t shy in hailing his goalscoring hero afterwards.

“I think, and I know I'm a bit biased, but I think Dylan has been the best midfielder in the country this year,” said the Rovers boss.

“I don't think that anyone has been on his level. I've been saying that to him for a number of weeks.

“He probably hasn't had the recognition because our form has been patchy domestically obviously. But I think Dylan, as an individual, has been the best midfielder in the country.

“There's been some good ones. (Shelbourne’s Mark) Coyle has been good. One or two others. (Will) Patching has been good at Derry. (Chris) Forrester has been good but I think Dylan has been right there.

“In my opinion, he's been the best midfielder in the country this year and shown real maturity this year.

“Respect for the other side of the game. We know what ability he has but he's shown maturity. He's been one of our standout performers this year.”

Bradley says the target now is securing knockout stage football in the new year.

“We have to target our home games, our games here, try and win games and see where it takes us,” he said.

“The aim, like I said yesterday, is to be playing football after December. We're on the board, we have a point, we're up and running and the aim is try and go and get as many points on the board.

“We'll have a fair idea over the course of the next two games what's going to get you there.”

Next up is Sunday’s clash with league leaders Shelbourne - and with five points between the two teams with just four games to go, it’s crucial that Rovers get the win if they are to have any chance of claiming their fifth title in a row.

“We’ve never lost that belief. Like I said, you don’t do what we’ve done. Have we been at our usual high standards domestically in the league? I think it’s pretty clear we haven’t been,” said Bradley.

“There have been a number of reasons for that. But what I know about these players is they have got tremendous character, togetherness, they are hungry for more and they want to win.

“It’s up to me to give them the platform to do that. We’ll enjoy tonight, forget about it tomorrow and get ready for Sunday.”

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