Bullish Hoops take heart from opening-night stalemate

Ronan Finn says Shamrock Rovers are aiming for the knockout stages after their opening night stalemate in the Europa Conference League campaign.

The Hoops started their group with a deserved 0-0 draw against Djurgardens in Tallaght on Thursday.

Finn made his 55th appearance in European competition - a new record for a League of Ireland player - and came away from the clash encouraged.

"I think it's going to be a very competitive group. It could be a low points tally that qualifies," he told RTÉ Sport.

"So for us, we just need to make sure that we capitalise when we get the chances. When you have them, turn the screw, that's probably the only bit of criticism we would have from our end.

"It's great for the league, it's probably the one time of the year that everyone tunes in throughout the country and we want to put on a good show."

On breaking the European appearance record, Finn added: "It doesn't mean that much to me because I'm in the moment. There is still a lot of football to be played in this group so I'm genuinely not looking at anything personal.

"It's more about where we are at the end of the group. The aim is to progress. We want to go a step further [than previous Irish sides] and if you get personal accolades on the way, you're glad to take them."

Striker Rory Gaffney felt Rovers could, and perhaps should have nicked it after they squandered some good chances in particularly strong 20-minute period in the second half.

However he also stressed the importance of avoiding defeat.

"I think it was [there for the taking] but we're still happy to get a point, get off the mark," he said.

"I thought they were pretty good the last 15-20 minutes so it could have gone any way.

"The gaffer pointed out a couple of things and the lads