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You’ve had a few days to reflect on a disappointing 1-1 league draw with Drogheda on Sunday. Do you still feel as frustrated as you looked after the final whistle?

“Yes, it was really frustrating. We know we didn’t perform to our usual levels, but we were still ahead in the game. But we gave away a sloppy goal which has cost us two points. So it was frustrating because it’s an opportunity missed.”

We got off to such a great start with Darragh Burns’ goal and only for Ryan Brennan’s miraculous goal line clearance from Graham Burke, we would’ve been in the driving seat before halftime at 2-0. Did maybe a bit of complacency set in after half time that we would automatically take the three points?

“Maybe, but I just felt throughout the game, even when we had those chances, I felt we were off it. We were slower in all our decision-making and as a result Drogheda grew into the game and got chances. When it’s 1-0 you always have an opportunity. I just thought we were slow and sloppy in everything we did.”

If there was a positive from Sunday, it was getting new signing Marc McNulty on the pitch, and he was unlucky not to score. He looked sharp, eager, and showed intelligent movement, were you pleased with his debut?

“I think everyone saw what we’ve seen here. His movement is really clever, he’ll score goals, there’s no doubt about that. We’re disappointed we won’t have him tomorrow night (he needed to be registered in time for the first leg to be eligible for the second), you can see his movement is clever, so he’ll cause problems and score goals.”

Another positive after a poor result is there’s always the next game to hopefully put things right. This Europa League qualifier second leg against NK Celje couldn’t be any bigger for the group and the fans, so we all need to put last Sunday behind us and come out fighting.

“This group is brilliant at moving on, whether we win, lose or draw. You must reflect quickly and move on. You can’t dwell in football, it happens too quickly. You need to refocus on the challenge ahead, understand what happened, why we didn’t perform and move on quickly. We’ve done that well throughout the years and this week will be no different. Tomorrow night is the biggest game we’ve had in Tallaght in a long long time and hopefully we can get that big crowd like we did against Vikingur and Sparta Prague and that they help us get this over the line and achieve what would be an historic night in Tallaght. So hopefully we get the big numbers.”

Enough has been said about their pitch last week. We are 1-0 down from the first leg. Given our decent performance, more so in the second half last week and our European performances so far this season, there’s no reason we can’t recover the deficit and take the tie and reap a massive reward.

“Definitely. We’ll have no fear going into this game, we’ve played big teams already this year, big clubs and we’ve done that throughout the years. We know when we’re at our levels, we can beat anyone in Tallaght. That’s the aim tomorrow night. Billy and his staff have the pitch in incredible condition, it will suit us, but we also know it will suit Celje as they are a good team. So, with both teams putting their best foot forward, it has the makings to be a really good game.”

Do you expect Celje to play any differently to the first leg and where do you see their main threat to us given last week and from their other games you’ve watched?

“They will be better. I think the pitch will ensure they will be so. As I said, as much as it helps us, it will help them. Celje are very dangerous in transition, very quick and direct. We saw that last week. I’m sure we’ll see that again tomorrow night. We must make sure we’re switched on, respect that and then impose ourselves on the game as quickly as possible.”

Rory Gaffney and Johnny Kenny remain out injured and Marc McNulty is ineligible. Is everyone else available after Sunday’s game?

Johnny is getting there, we’re hoping it’s another week to ten days. We think we got some good news with Rory, he hopefully won’t be too much longer. Seán Hoare was unwell Saturday night before the Drogheda game, but he’s fine again.”