Shamrock Rovers ace Jack Byrne reveals frustration with form ahead of crucial Shelbourne clash

League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers are five points behind leaders Shelbourne with four games to play.

Jack Byrne says Shamrock Rovers have to do better if they want to progress in Europe this season and challenge for the Premier Division title.

The Hoops picked up a valuable Europa Conference League point in Thursday night’s 1-1 draw against Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia, despite playing with 10 men for most of the second-half.

However Byrne, whose corner was headed home by Dylan Watts in injury-time, wasn’t impressed by Rovers’ overall performance.

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Next up is tomorrow’s crucial league clash with Shelbourne, with Rovers in must-win territory if they are to keep their five-in-a-row bid alive.

And he is looking for big improvements as they battle on the domestic front and in Europe, where they next face a short trip to Larne on October 24.

“To be honest, they were the better side for 90 minutes in the game. But for one minute in the 90, we were the better side and scored,” said the midfielder, who previously played for APOEL.

“We have to do better, we have to start taking the game to the opposition especially when we play in Tallaght, we can’t give the game up for 20 minutes at the start.

“We know that as players, I’m sure the manager will go through it and reflect on it, and look to change something going into the Larne game.

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“I don’t think we’ll be giving up as much of the game going into that, because we’ve got good players, so we need to start showing that.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow, he said: “It’s massive obviously, it’s going to be a big game, a big crowd here, we’re used to these big games.

“We’re chasing our fifth league title, it will be different for Shels, it will be different for Damien (Duff), our manager will be in the stands but that won’t make a difference.”

Rovers are currently five points adrift of Shelbourne with four games remaining.

Damien Duff’s side should be out of sight by now, but having picked up just two points from the last 12, they have left the door open for a late Hoops surge.

“If we lose, we won’t win the league, so we have to win. But we’ve been in this position before, and they haven’t, so we’re used to being in this position,” said Byrne.

As for their European prospects, Thursday night’s point is a great start in their bid to progress from the league stage to the knockouts in the new year.

But again, according to Byrne, they need to raise their performance if they are to make history, after conceding plenty of possession to APOEL.

“We have to play better, we have to start better. But I’m sure we will, we’ll obviously look at the game and see where we can improve,” he said.

“But that was Cypriot opposition, and we’re playing against Northern Irish opposition and then Welsh opposition.

“So they are going to be different and we have to look where we can be better. But on the ball we can improve.”

Byrne watched most of the APOEL game from the bench, before coming on in the 77th minute along with goalscorer Watts and striker Aaron Greene.

He wasn’t happy with his bit-part role, but was delighted to make an impact when he came on.

“Obviously we have 20 players that are good enough for the team, so when the manager calls me, I’ll be ready to play,” said the Ireland midfielder.

“Listen, you know the manager had a system and it paid off because we got a result.

“Nobody wants to sit on the bench, that’s any player. I’m not going to stand here and say I’m happy sitting on the bench because no one is, I want to play every minute of every game.

“But we know we have a big end of the season, the manager is the manager for a reason, he picks the team so we have to respect that.”

Reflecting on the goal, he added: “I couldn’t believe (Watts) scored.

“When we were celebrating at the end - because I’d gone up the line after we scored - Wattsy was still in the crowd, so I said, ‘Who scored?’ and he said, ‘I did’.

“I couldn’t believe it, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen him head the ball. But brilliant, great.

“Wattsy, he’s been unbelievable this season, he’s been our best player by a mile, I think, so he deserved that tonight. And you know I’m sure he’ll have a big end of the season.”

Does he feel Rovers are coming good at the right time of the season?

“Here, you wouldn’t say that after the Pat’s game when we were beaten 3-0. Or (on Thursday) if we don’t score in the 91st minute, no.

“So we need to back it up on Sunday and then you’ll see if you’re coming good at the right time.”

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