David Healy programme notes
Posted : 13th July 2021
Tonight we will have to overturn a 3-1 deficit, if we are to progress to a UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, first leg tie away to Ferencvaros of Hungary or Prishtina of Kosovo next week.
Preparing for this target has been the aim of everyone at the club since we arrived home from last week's first round, first leg tie in Vilnius.
We know it will be a difficult task, as Zalgiris showed last week that they have good players who can take advantage of any set play opportunities that come their way.
However, we believe we can turn the tie around, especially with the backing of a greatly missed home support that can make all the difference on these special European occasions.
I was delighted for Christy Manzinga that he got on the scoresheet in Vilnius last week and he also came close to a second, only for his strike to cannon back off the crossbar. We felt hard done by with the penalty decision that went against us and we didn't quite get the rub of the green with the third goal which went into the net after striking Chris Johns after coming back off the post.
We will have Kirk Millar and Ross Larkin available for selection again after suspension and it should be a memorable occasion for Kirk who is in line to make his 300th appearance for the club tonight. That's a very special achievement and a figure I expect him to increase in the years ahead.
Chris Shields made his debut in Vilnius last week and I've no doubt he's going to be a major influence for us, on and off the pitch, in the years ahead. He's a quality player and one I'm delighted to welcome onboard.
I also want to welcome our other new signings, Andrew Clarke from Crusaders, Jack Ruddy from Plymouth and Sam Roscoe from Ayr United. Jack will be missing tonight due to an injury picked up in pre-season preparations for Europe but Sam will be available for selection for the squad for tonight's game.
I'm also hopeful that we will have been able to add one or two other players to the squad in the days preceding this second leg tie.
The trip away to Vilnius was excellent and I want to thank the club for all they did to make everything so smooth for all the players and staff.
It's only been a matter of weeks since we enjoyed the highs of winning the League and Cup double but that's firmly behind us now and all our focus is on trying to extend our stay in the European club competitions as long as possible, in preparation for the start of the domestic league season on August 28.
We haven't had supporters in Windsor Park since December 19 so I'm sure you will all have been looking forward to getting tickets for tonight's hugely anticipated return to Windsor. It's the beginning of a welcome and much needed return to normality, after the unprecedented year we've all had to endure and hopefully, come out of.
I know our supporters, smaller in number than we would have wanted and no doubt socially distanced, will generate a terrific Windsor Park atmosphere that can hopefully inspire our players to another positive, memorable and magical European result tonight.