Stephen Bradley said he didn't mind who Shamrock Rovers were drawn with in Friday's Conference League draw in Monaco, describing it as an "exciting time" for the club.
As expected, Rovers' Europa League campaign ended with a 2-0 loss at home to PAOK, the Greek champions winning 6-0 on aggregate.
Bradley conceded in a round of interviews on Wednesday that the tie was effectively beyond his side after a 4-0 defeat in Thessaloniki last week and, in light of the looming heavy schedule of league games, beginning with the trip to Bohemians on Sunday, rotated his side heavily for Thursday's game.
The Shamrock Rovers' manager made eight changes to the side, mindful of the need to give game-time to several players before the closing stretch of the Premier Division campaign and the subsequent Conference League journey.
"It was a bit of everything," Bradley told RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue after the game. "We have players that we're trying to get up to speed. We're trying to get them minutes. We know everyone is going to be important between now and the end of the season.
"We have Sean Kavanagh, Cory (O'Sullivan), Richie (Towell), Jack (Byrne), Marc (McNulty), Aaron Mc(Eneff), you've a lot of players there that haven't played.
"I thought Jack looked like he was getting back to himself tonight. Played at a good tempo, worked really hard.
"It's about trying to get them up to speed. We've a lot of big games coming up between now and Christmas and it's about trying to get everybody up to a level."
Rovers kept their much-vaunted visitors scoreless for an hour, goalkeeper Leon Pohls rescuing them on several occasions. However, a loose pass out of defence set in chain a move which ended with Magomed Ozdoev passing into a gaping net, after Pohls had saved from Andrija Zivkovic.
Bradley pressed ahead with a rare quintuple substitutions, five players being sprung at once with a view to the weekend's Dublin derby. The upheaval didn't help their cause for the rest of the evening.
Kiril Despodov's second goal occurred after Pohls sold himself badly, anticipating a cut-back and leaving the net open.
"We always planned to do the subs at that time," Bradley said. "I know it disrupts everything, you're making five (subs) and it disrupts the rhythm of the game. But I thought we had to do it considering Sunday and what's coming down the line.
"Then they punished us. It was poor defending from us. Leon gambles. You should never gamble at this level. And he gets punished."
Notwithstanding the loss, Shamrock Rovers are already bound for group stage European football in 2024, having already guaranteed their spot in the Conference League with the rousing 3-2 aggregate victory over Slovenian champions Celje in the third qualifying round.
The Conference League format will mimic the new-look Champions League this year.
Rovers will find out the identity of their six opponents, which could include Premier League giants Chelsea, at today's draw in Monaco (1.30pm Irish time), though Bradley isn't fretting about the outcome.
"Obviously, we'll be looking forward to it. It's an exciting time. But I don't really mind who we get, to be honest."
The more immediate pressing matter is the league trip to Dalymount Park, with the five-in-a-row chasers 10 points adrift of the leaders, but with games in hand of both Shelbourne and Derry City (two in the case of the latter).
The match has been scheduled for the unusual time of 11.30am due to concerns over Garda resources, with a Coldplay concert taking place that day in Croke Park.
"It's not ideal after a Thursday night game," says Bradley. "But look, it is what it is. Like I've said many times, we're not here to look for excuses. This club, we want to be in games like this, group stage football, European football. With that comes demands.
"The game is at half 11 for whatever reason. Guards, whatever it is. It's not ideal but we'll deal with it."
Earlier on Wednesday, Shamrock Rovers said the club were "considering its position" regarding RTÉ's request to televise their live game at home to Sligo Rovers.
The Hoops have previously aired their grievances with the national broadcaster over their failure to provide any TV coverage of eight matches in European qualifying this season.
"Whatever the club decide, I back the club," says Bradley of the dispute. "I'm sure we'll have an internal discussion. Whatever they decide, I'll obviously back that.
"We're aligned on what we'd be thinking and I'm sure the club will make a decision that we all agree with."
