Top of table in sight but Derry City must end run of draws against Shelbourne

When the teams last met at Tolka Park at the beginning of April, City were eight points behind the league leaders, but a run of just one win in six since sees Damien Duff’s team in danger of losing their advantage completely at the top of the table.

Depending on results elsewhere, a win could see the Candystripes go top, but after four successive draws against the Dubliners, it is far from a certainty.

“They’re really tough fixtures,” Higgins said. “They are two really good teams and Shelbourne are really well coached obviously. They’ve added real talent as well at the top end, they’ve kept their defensive solidity, but they’ve added real flair at the top end, and they’re without doubt challengers to win the league.

“I know it’s still very early in the season, but it’s an important game and one we’re looking forward to.”

Higgins knows that a positive result could see his team go top, if results elsewhere are favourable, but the City boss is not interested in what happens elsewhere.

“Results elsewhere are irrelevant to me,” he insisted. “I just want us to be prepared in the best possible manner, without having much time, but we’ll come here tomorrow night with the desire to try and win the game.”

“It’s a Monday night, it’s a difficult fixture, so we’ll need everybody, players on the pitch, people in the stands, staff, everyone pulling together to try and get us over the line and get us a big win.”

There were just four goals scored across the Premier Division on Friday night and Higgins knows his team may have to be patient again against a team that has proved very difficult to break down in recent encounters.

“Shelbourne have definitely got a bit of everything,” he acknowledged.

“They’ve got real talent in attacking areas, they don’t give up much, they’re good defensively as well, so we’re coming up against a really well-rounded team, and it’s up to us to take the game to them at home and try and win it.”

Patrick McEleney, Sadou Diallo, Camron Dummigan and Michael Duffy all remain absent for the hosts due to injury.