Shamrock Rovers need a monumental comeback to go any further in the Champions League qualifying rounds this evening, but the performance of Neil Farrugia in their 2-0 loss to Sparta Prague last week offered more evidence of his quality, according to Keith Treacy.
The 25-year-old offered glimpses of his undoubted quality in Tallaght, occasionally leaving Sparta defenders dizzy as he showcased his ability to weave past players.
However Farrugia also missed a big chance when the scores were level, and Treacy says he needs to improve his final product to progress to the next level.
"Damien Duff this week has been talking about levels in the game," Treacy said on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
"I think Farrugia, I love him to bits, but if he wants to go that next level - and his next level is huge, there's a really good player in there - he needs the end product.
"So many times against Sparta Prague he burst out of midifeld and you're thinking, 'okay make the right decision', and he'd make the wrong one or couldn't hit the target. But he is a player that gets you on the edge of your seat.
"If he brings that end product to his game he goes to the next level, and his next level could be across the water. He's a fantastic player, but Sparta Prague are a classy outfit. I don't think you're going to get too many people sticking the boot into Shamrock Rovers because they are a very good outfit."
The Hoops will face Steaua Bucharest or Maccabi Tel Aviv if they manage to pull off what would be a remarkable recovery in the return leg this evening, but they look much more likely to drop into a Europa League third-round qualifier against the loser of Slovenia side NK Celje or Slovan Bratislava from Slovakia.
The winner of the Europa League tie would move on to the play-off round of the competition, while also guaranteeing UEFA Conference League group phase football as well. The loser will drop down to the Conference League play-off round.
With that in mind, Conan Byrne said Bradley might be better off rotating for the trip to Prague with an eye on hauling themselves back into the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division title race.
"I think Shamrock Rovers have a bigger game on Friday night against Waterford," said Byrne.
"If they're to try and bridge the gap between themselves and Derry and Shels I think they're going to have to put out a weakened team against Sparta Prague. I don't see them winning the game, even with a full-strength team, let alone going through.
"So I'll be interested to see Stephen Bradley's setup because the next three league games that Shamrock Rovers have are crucial in trying to reclaim a title for a fifth time.
"I think if they win the next three, four, five league games in a row, it puts huge pressure on the teams above them who haven't been in that position of winning a league title in a few years.
"But they need to keep the pressure on. If they lose to Waterford, I think it could be curtains."
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
