Dundalk defender Andy Boyle says his team-mates are ready to take on Russian powerhouse Zenit St. Petersburg despite their gruelling run of fixtures.
The Lilywhites come into Thursday's Europa League encounter [8.05pm] after collecting nine league points in six days which ensures that another win at the weekend will be enough to clinch the SSE Airtricity Premier Division for a third year on the trot.
Currently in the midst of a schedule of 10 games in 27 days, manager Stephen Kenny recently said that the unprecedented schedule is ‘diminishing standards’ in the league, notwithstanding that Dundalk have picked up four points from their opening two games of the group.
John Mountney (back) and Chris Shields (groin) picked up knocks in the latest win over Longford on Monday night and despite such a short turnaround, Boyle insists his team are anxious to pit their wits against such high-calibre opposition.
“It’s a big occasion for the league and for the country. It’s a sell-out and we will give a good account of ourselves,” he said.
“As a team and a group we like playing here [Tallaght Stadium] and we have had some big results here.”
“Recovery is a big part, we are feeling okay today and hopefully feeling better tomorrow.
“We will be going into the game prepared.”
Kenny has described Zenit as “a Champions League team disguised a Europa League team” and tomorrow's visitors won the Russian Premier League as recently as last year.
They currently sit joint-top of their league with Spartak Moscow and have hit the goal trail in Group D, beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-3 on the road and hammering AZ Alkmaar 5-0 at home.
Kenny however says confidence is high within the squad as they continue their “amazing journey”.
“We have huge respect in our opponents but we will approach the game in a confident manner,” he told the media.
“Zenit have a great tradition and history in this competition but we are really looking for to the occasion.”
