‘You can’t ask much more from the players’ – Rovers boss Bradley
SHAMROCK Rovers will now focus their attention on the Europa League third round qualifying round when they face Slovenian side NK Celje away next Thursday.
This follows Rovers 4-2 defeat to Sparta Prague (6-2 on aggregate) with Kilnamanagh man Aaron Greene netting both Rovers goals in the 32th and 47th minute.
The goals scored by Greene were the first goals scored by an Irish team away since 2016 in a Champions League match.
But before their Europa League next week, the Hoops have an important league encounter against Waterford this Friday, away, a point that Rovers boss Stephen Bradley has pointed out.
“We need to make sure we respond better after Europe than we did in the cup game and we have a chance to do that on Friday. You look at the next game in front of you and ours in Waterford,” said Bradley.
“I think we should be very proud of the group on what they have produced over two legs.
“I think we all know when you come up against this level of opposition, you need to take your opportunities when you get them.
“We didn’t do that in Tallaght last week and again tonight we should have been 2-1 up.
“We didn’t take the opportunity and they go and score.
“I thought overall a lot of it was really good.
“You have to understand the quality you’re against.
“You’re going to give up opportunities at some point.
“Overall, a lot of our play was really, really good.
“You can’t ask much more from the players.
“We’ve conceded from two corners tonight against Viking Gore.
“We defended eight in one game and it’s not a problem”.
Despite becoming the Irish first team since 2016 to score twice in an away Champions League game, Rovers were cut apart at times against superior Sparta.
Rovers will be hoping they will learn from their experience against Sparta when they launch their Europa League campaign.
Greene’s goals were the highlight of Rovers night after he scored twice to pull his side onto level terms after a Josh Honohan cross.
However, after Greene equalised with a brilliant header in the second half, Sparta were back in the lead after Rovers failed to clear their lines.
Rovers did create one or two chances but Sparta were always in control of this encounter.
And there’ll be one more bite in the subsidiary Conference League for group stage participation until December.