Our UEFA Europa League QR3 tie kicks off at 8pm Irish time. The match is available to stream live on LOITV (worldwide except Albania and Norway).

Ahead of travelling to the tie, Stephen Bradley spoke to shamrockrovers.ie

We reached the three quarter stage of the title campaign seven points clear of St Pats after an eventful 3-2 home victory over Dundalk. At this business end of the season and in the middle of European football too, was it just about getting the win on Friday?

“Yes it was. I actually thought we were good, I know some of it was a bit loose, but I thought we were good as we’d made a lot of changes from Tuesday. But we scored three and it should’ve been more.”

With that heavy load, you made seven changes to the eleven that started the previous game against Egnatia. But we were straight out of the blocks against Dundalk forcing the early penalty that Dylan Watts converted. Despite the concession of two first half equalisers, our reactions to them must’ve pleased you.

“The players were excellent, we obviously gave up a penalty and a soft other goal to Dundalk, but I thought our reactions were excellent. So in the main, we were very good in the game, there were moments we could be better but overall very good.”

Jonathan Afolabi scored his first goal for us which turned out to be the winner. Can we see his sharpness is increasing with every outing.

“Yes, we can. It’s clear to see with Jonathan that it’s getting better with every game that he plays. It was great on Friday he got over sixty minutes into him, with no issues so that will only help Jonathan. He’s still learning how we play and what we expect, but he’s a real threat and you could see that last Friday and the Tuesday before against Egnatia. I’m delighted for him that he’s got  his first goal and it’s the first of many.”

We travel to Albania for the second leg of our Europa League 3rd qualifying round against KF Egnatia, 3-1 up from the first leg. Will it be our aim to get on the front foot early as we did last week and look to win the game on the night?

“Yes, we have to. We have to go and win the game, I don’t think we can approach it in any other way. That’s the aim on Thursday night. European away games are always different, we know that but our aim will be to go and win the game.”

Can it be a difficult call for the coaching staff with a 3-1 lead from a first leg to decide on a game plan, especially in Europe, as to whether to just sit in and wait and see what evolves or to take the game to the home team?

“Not really. I think we have to go and try and win as I said. It’s that simple. We know if we win the game, we go through so it is that simple. That’s the aim.”

Cian Barrett was taken to hospital after the Dundalk game last Friday. Do we know the extent of his injury and are any of Danny Grant, Dan Cleary, Victor Ozhianvuna, Connor Malley or John McGovern ready to return and how is Gary O’Neill after his latest appearance for the Under 20s at the weekend?

“Gary with the 20’s was good. Connor has trained all week which is good. Dan Cleary is hopefully another two weeks. John McGovern is similar to Dan and Danny Grant was in his last few days of rehab but felt it a bit, so that’s being assessed today, it might just be a bit of fatigue. Victor is another four weeks. We’re still waiting to see the final extent of Cian’s injury.”