Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley anticipates a continental clash against Larne at Windsor Park on Thursday evening because he and Tiernan Lynch have similar philosophies.
The reigning champions on either side of the border meet in a Conference League group game that has created quite a buzz.
It’s the first time an Irish League club has qualified for the group stages of the European competition, while Rovers were trailblazers under Michael O’Neill in 2011, becoming the first Irish club to reach the group stages of the Europa League.
The Tallaght club are in the hunt for an incredible fifth League title in a row so Bradley has to manage two fronts, but feels tonight’s game will have more of a continental flavour than a domestic game.
“If it was probably anyone else in the Irish League, I would say more of a League of Ireland game,” said Bradley. “But how Larne play and what they do, I think it’ll have more of a European feel.
“I’ve watched them for quite some time and you get a really clear identity of what they do.
“Tiernan is obviously a good coach, it’s quite clear to see, and with how they play and how we play I think it will be more of a European-type game.
“There’s definitely a different feel to it because it’s Larne and it’s up in Windsor.
“When the draw was made everyone was really excited that we got Larne because it’s never happened before.
“That brings a bit of buzz and excitement to it, which is nice.”
Rovers are the most successful club in the League of Ireland whereas Larne are relative newcomers, winning their first two Irish League titles in the last two campaigns.
Bradley insists the story of Larne’s renaissance under Lynch is well known in the League of Ireland, but he maintains the outcome of the game will not indicate where the power lies on the island of Ireland.
“It’s impossible to say,” added the Rovers boss.
“Regardless of the result tomorrow night, it’s just a one-off
game.
“It’s impossible to judge where both Leagues are in one game.”