Shelbourne captain Mark Coyle says their squad retain "love" for old boss Damien Duff but are relishing "making new memories' with his successor Joey O'Brien as they look towards Wednesday's Champions League qualifier against Linfield.
Shels welcome the NIFL Premiership champions to Tolka Park for the first leg of their first qualifying round tie (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), having picked up their first win at the third attempt on Friday since Duff's abrupt departure two weeks ago.
O'Brien, who has stepped up from the role of assistant to head coach, will now be plotting to carry the positives from the 3-1 win over Cork City into the Linfield tie.
Speaking at Tuesday's pre-match press conference alongside O'Brien, club captain Coyle said the new man in charge has already made an impact at Shelbourne.
"It's obviously a new era with the new gaffer sitting beside me. I just think now that's what we're focused on, making new memories and that's basically what we're excited for," he told RTÉ Soccer Correspondent Tony O'Donoghue.
"There's definitely been a recharge you could say or a change and we're just looking forward to it now."
Coyle added that the mood has been good among the squad despite the fortnight of upheaval and was pleased by O'Brien's impact.
"It's been very good. Obviously, it's been addressed that we obviously have huge respect and love for the ex-manager but, as I said, now we're excited for the new era," he said.
"The gaffer here has been great. He's put his own stamp on things and you can see that around the ground.
"There's obviously an excitement and it's just about creating new memories now."
But versatile midfielder Coyle emphasised that much of the responsibility for reviving Shels' fortunes will have to come from within the playing pool itself and not just O'Brien.
"We've probably seen a different side to him because obviously now he's in charge and from what I've seen, he's got all the attributes to be a great manager," Coyle said.
"But it's down to us as players really to make sure that happens for him as well. So he gives us that leeway to take charge of it and make sure that we go out and perform.
"And yeah, look, it's just been a good buzz and I suppose the excitement of this (tie) as well has added to that. So it's just about putting in performances and focusing on that."
The Linfield first leg will mark Coyle's first experience of a Champions League night and the Donegal man said it would mark a career milestone.
"It's right up there to play in a Champions League game, whatever stage it may be is obviously a huge highlight," he said.
"It's definitely right up there for me in terms of my career and it's something that I've worked hard to get here.
"I'm just excited for it now but I think when you get a taste of it, you'll want more."
Coyle also acknowledged the 'derby' element of the fixture given it's a meeting of a League of Ireland side against one from the NIFL Premiership.
"There's obviously going to be that aspect of it so you have to be aware of it, especially at the start of the game," he said.
"The crowd, that all adds to it. There will be an edge but we've just to focus on the performance first and foremost and making sure we're at it. That's basically where our heads are at."
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Watch Shelbourne v Linfield in Champions League qualifying on Wednesday from 7.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
