Shels will not sit on lead at Tolka Park

Shelbourne boss Joey O'Brien has denied any notion his side will sit on their lead over Rijeka going into Tuesday night’s Europa League third round qualifying second leg at Tolka Park.

The Reds hold a 2-1 advantage from last week and know they must be at their best again to progress to the play-off round and guarantee Conference League football this winter.

Shels soaked up limited pressure in the first half of the opening leg and fell behind to a penalty early in the second period.

From there they were scintillating going forward and brought the advantage back to Drumcondra, despite Rijeka creating more in the closing minutes.

O’Brien knows there will be periods they must dig deep for the conclusion of the tie but is certain it will not be their overall approach.

The Reds manager said: "If you look at the game last week, there was very little in it.

"I suppose they had a few chances. We had a few chances. They obviously had the majority of possession.

"We're coming in here tomorrow with a small advantage but we're here to attack the game. We don't see football about sitting in and hoping for the best. It's about attacking the game in front of you and I think the players that we have want to do that.

"For me, as a gameplan of just sitting in hoping for the best, I wasn't like that as a player so I'm not going to do that now as a coach."

Shelbourne are in the middle of their third European tie of the summer

Speaking in Rijeka after the game, O’Brien opined that the Croatian outfit were still expected to go through despite the deficit.

He tempered that stance today in a belief that the Premier Division champions can overcome any side at their treasured home venue.

He explained: "If you look at the overall [picture] before a ball had been kicked and where they're at and where we're at, they were favourites and they are [still] favourites.

"But again, it is two halves done and two halves to go. We're coming here to our place.

"We'd be back ourselves to beat anyone here."

One plus for the Reds is they will have a sold out crowd in Tolka Park and with no away fans present as Rijeka are currently serving a supporter suspension on the road from UEFA.

Asked if it was an advantage for his team, he said: "I think so. There was a great atmosphere over there last week. We had great fans there as well but at home with the whole place rocking for you, it does give you that little bit more I suppose

"It does give you that little more buzz and a little bit more energy sometimes.

"Sometimes you may have to suffer out of possession and the pump may come on and then we have to suck it up sort of thing.

"To have the fanbase there and being really loud and you know that they are supporting you, it is always that little added bonus.

"We have to make the most of that. We have to give the fans something to cheer about and I’m sure at the start there's going to be a real excitement ahead of the game because of what is at stake.

"It's about the boys going out and putting their best foot forward and putting on a show.

"They have to make sure the crowd is engaged in the game."

In team news, the Reds will be without Sean Gannon, Tyreke Wilson and Sean Boyd.

O’Brien declared Milan Mbeng fit for the game despite missing out on a place in the squad in the 2-2 draw with Bohemians last Saturday.

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