Shamrock Rovers players ratings as Hoops record another big European win to edge closer to knockouts

How did Shamrock Rovers players rate in their 2-1 win over TNS on Thursday evening?

Here's our take...

LEON POHLS: Produced a great save moments before the goal, for which he had little chance, and after that he dealt comfortably with everything that came at him. That was mostly shots from distance. 7

DAN CLEARY: Another fine display by the Hoops defender, who saw plenty of possession and wasn’t afraid to bring it forward. Cleary was very much involved in Rovers’ attacking forays down the right. 7

ROBERTO LOPES: Another strong and composed performance in the centre of the Shamrock Rovers defence by the Hoops skipper. He is made of stronger stuff than most, evidenced by a couple of TNS players bouncing off him. Such a great reader of the game. Man of the match. 9

LEE GRACE: The least convincing of Shamrock Rovers’ back-three. Grace should have cleared the ball that led to the opener for the visitors, while there were a few more shaky moments. 6

DARRAGH BURNS: TNS defenders will see Darragh Burns in their nightmares, cutting in from the right onto his left foot and delivering precision in-swingers towards the back post. He did it to great effect twice in quick succession in the first-half, with the second of them teeing up Dylan Watts for Rovers’ lead goal. 8

DYLAN WATTS: Some of his early passing was mixed, but he wasn’t long getting into the game and his goal was the result of a lung-busting run into the box. Watts has now scored five goals in his last seven appearances. Outstanding. 7

AARON McENEFF: Arguably Shamrock Rovers’ most impressive performer, particularly in the first-half, where he was popping up everywhere. McEneff linked up well with his midfield partners and was a serious attacking threat. 8

MARKUS POOM: The Estonia international delivered a solid display, passing well and allowing McEneff and Watts to do the more eye-catching stuff further up the pitch. 7

JOSH HONOHAN: If Dylan Watts didn’t slide home Rovers’ second, Honohan was right behind him. A great attacking threat at wing-back. 6

NEIL FARRUGIA: A mixed bag in a more advanced role for the man who has often been found at wing-back. There were a couple of occasions when he appeared to choose the wrong option as Rovers attacked. 6

JOHNNY KENNY: Was off-target with a shot inside 15 seconds, but what a strike for Shamrock Rovers’ equaliser. He nearly lifted the frame of the goal out of the ground with his rasping left-foot drive, which went in off the underside of the crossbar. Continued to threaten the TNS defence until his substitution. 7

SUBS:

GRAHAM BURKE (for McEneff) 70: His first touch in the game was poor, but he added a much-needed spark to Rovers’ attack late on. 6

JACK BYRNE (for Burns) 70: Always looking for the ball. 6

AARON GREENE (for Kenny) 79

GARY O’NEILL (for Watts) 85

DARRAGH NUGENT (for Poom) 85

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