Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley believes that midfielder Dylan Watts is one of the few players in the League of Ireland that can change the tempo of a game, an attribute that no doubt will be needed as the Hoops face Ferencvaros in the first leg of the Europa League play-off round this evening.
The Premier Division champions are in Budapest for the opening instalment of a tie that would see them earn in excess of €4million from their European journey so far if they advance after next week's return leg at Tallaght Stadium.
Football in the group stages of the Europa Conference League and the bounty of €3.3m is already assured, however, should Bradley's side exit the second-tier competition.
The Hoops boss will have to plan without six key players for the game in the Hungarian capital - Graham Burke, Chris McCann (both calf injuries), Roberto Lopes (long-term injury absentee), Ronan Finn (suspended) Simon Power (knock) and Aidomo Emakhu (illness) - are all absentees.
Emakhu and Andy Lyons have both attracted the interest of Championship clubs, but Bradley was keen to stress that the duo will not be leaving before the end of the transfer window. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, he said: "We're in control of that situation. There is never any panic or rush with any of the bids we've had for our players. We've done really well in the selling of players over the last few years and that will be the over the next few years.
"In the case of Andy, it was an easy conversation with him and his agent. We're never in any rush; we're in control of the situation."
Assessing the opposition to come, Bradley was in doubt as to Ferencvaros' status, but is confident that Rovers' recent European journeys can stand to them.
"The game tomorrow night will be a level above anything we've played up to now," he added.
"We know they'll be times in the game when we won't have the ball and will have to work hard.
"We know it's a step up but we'll do everything possible to make sure we get to the Europa League group stage.
"Our experiences of the last few years have helped us grow.; good experiences and bad experiences have helped us. Hopefully we can show all that experience and know-how tomorrow night."
"We also understand that we have the quality to cause them problems like we've done in other European games over the years."
Bradley also spoke about the growing influence of midfielder Dylan Watts.
"He has grown into a real leader for us. When we got him we knew he had ability but he was very inconsistent; he'd a nine out of ten player and then a two out of ten player, but now he's a consistent seven out that you need to perform at this level.
"He has matured on and off the pitch and is one of the few players in our league that can quicken the game up and take you from one zone to another. I see him as a future captain of this football club."
Watch Ferencvaros v Shamrock Rovers (Kick-off 5.30pm) live on the RTÉ Two and the RTÉ Player from 5.15pm, or follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News app.
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