Soccer

LOI previews: Danny Rogers braced for visit of champions Shamrock Rovers

Experienced St Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeper expecting a busy night at Richmond Park

Danny Rogers: 'You have to expect to be busy against Rovers, especially with their forward players.' Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Paul Buttner
Thu Apr 4 2024 - 23:00

Danny Rogers marvels at just how chilled out the goalkeepers he most admires at the highest level can be.

But while the St Patrick’s Athletic custodian says that at 30 years of age he is fairly calm between the posts himself, he agrees that having healthy nerves going into games is no bad thing as he strives to add to his three clean sheets from his last four games when Shamrock Rovers visit Richmond Park tonight.

After another slow start, Stephen Bradley’s champions are back in the groove following three straight wins while St Patrick’s got their season back on track with Monday’s comfortable 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers.

“I liked [Gianluigi] Buffon growing up. He was relaxed,” said Rogers of the Italy great. “I feel like that. I’m really relaxed like Buffon, Alisson, those kinds of goalkeepers, [Caoimhin] Kelleher now.

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“They are nonchalant, ‘nothing is going to worry me. I’m all right’. I remember Buffon in the World Cup final, Champions League, whatever it was, it was just another day at the office.

“And you’re thinking, how is that just another day at the office, playing in a World Cup final!”

“I’m not as chilled out as those guys. You need that nervousness. I feel you play better. I’ve always said if you are not nervous it doesn’t matter to you.

“I say to lads before games ‘are you nervous?’. If they say no I tell them they should be nervous because it matters. We need to win the game and you need to play well.

“No, there should always be that element of nervousness before every game.”

Having had precious little to do on Monday, Dubliner Rogers may expect to be busier against the champions tonight.

“Rovers are full of talent, some great players, they hadn’t been firing on all cylinders, but they’ve hit a bit of form now,” said Rogers.

“You have to expect to be busy against Rovers, especially with their forward players. If needed, I will hopefully make a few saves and help get us another good result.”

Rovers return to Inchicore for the first time since sealing a record-equalling fourth successive title with a 2-0 win last October.

“We know a Dublin derby against Pat’s at their home is a difficult game,” said Rovers manager Bradley who is without the injured Jack Byrne, Rory Gaffney, Lee Grace, Aaron McEneff and Johnny Kenny.

“We also know if we go there with the right mindset and attitude, that we’re more than capable of winning the game. That’s the aim.”

Captain Mark Coyle returns from suspension for Shelbourne who travel to Drogheda United having extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points following Monday’s scoreless home draw with Derry City despite a virus in the camp.

“The bug is still floating around,” said Shelbourne manager Damien Duff. “Some boys had it on their days off and came through okay.

“We had a few players miss training [yesterday]. It’s a 24-hour thing, so we’ll know closer to kick off what shape we’re in.

“Aside from illness, which has caused some problems, we’ve no injury concerns.”

Friday’s fixtures (7.45 unless stated)

Premier Division

Bohemians v Waterford

Derry City v Dundalk

Drogheda United v Shelbourne

St Patrick’s Athletic v Shamrock Rovers

First Division

Finn Harps v UCD (5.0)

Bray Wanderers v Athlone Town

Cork City v Cobh Ramblers

Kerry FC v Longford Town

Wexford v Treaty UnitedIS LINE

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