Shamrock Rovers Stephen Bradley Graham Gartland Sweden Belgium Ireland Longford soccer League of Ireland Sport Shamrock Rovers Stephen Bradley Graham Gartland Sweden Belgium Ireland Longford

How Justin Ferizaj has propelled himself onto the big stage for Shamrock Rovers - Graham Gartland

rte.ie

Shamrock Rovers have had their fair share of big nights in Europe over the years but last Thursday's Europa Conference League group opener against Djurgardens was right up there.The Hoops are back in a continental group stage for just the second time in their history - and fourth overall for any League of Ireland club thanks to Dundalk's contribution - and Stephen Bradley's side made a solid start to the campaign with a 0-0 draw at Tallaght Stadium against the Swedish title challengers.Normally, it's a stage for more experienced players but Bradley pulled off a surprise when he named 17-year-old Justin Ferizaj in the starting 11.The Ireland Under-19 midfielder had made several cameos in all competitions this season before being thrust into the deep end of a major European game.But the youngster did not disappoint and his potential is exciting as former Drogheda United, Longford Town and Shamrock Rovers defender Graham Gartland outlined on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast as he and Ollie Cahill looked ahead to Thursday's second group game in Belgium against KAA Gent.We need your consent to load this YouTube contentWe use YouTube to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.

Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage PreferencesGartland, who coaches Rovers' Under-14s, explained how the young midfielder has developed his game and his capacity for further progression."I think he's broken into the team through his hard work and his technical ability to take the ball in tight spaces," he said."Where I've seen the improvement in Justin from when he was younger was he dribbled a lot when he was younger."He would dribble a lot with the ball, go through gaps and

Related News
Shamrock Rovers kept clear daylight between themselves and title chasers Derry City after the Tallaght side saw off Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds with relative ease.
Shamrock Rovers extended their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity League table to five points with a hard fought 1-0 win against a battling Students side who might have nicked something late on.
Shamrock Rovers v UCD, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
Shamrock Rovers have given Derry City a little bit of hope at the top of the SSE Airtricity League table after a scoreless snoozefest in Drumcondra.
Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers, Tolka Park, 7.45pm

Latest News

Change privacy settings
This page might use cookies if your analytics vendor requires them.