Controlling nerves key as Shamrock Rovers punch up against Gent - Karl Sheppard

Former Shamrock Rovers striker Karl Sheppard admits that his old club face a tough task as they begin their travels in the Europa Conference League but he remains hopeful the Hoops can contend in a tricky group.

They began with a 0-0 draw against Djurgardens of Sweden in Tallaght last week and are away to Belgian side Gent tonight

"It's an extremely tight group," Sheppard told RTÉ Sport. "Gent are certainly no mugs. They are a very good team and so are Molde.

"You are going up against leagues that have better infrastructure, more money and, realistically, better players.

"So Shamrock Rovers will be up against it. But the result and the performance against Djurgardens will give them the confidence to say 'We will belong here’.

"Tonight is about going out and stamping their authority on the game because they don’t have a great away record in Europe under Stephen Bradley."

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Sheppard thought the Irish champions could have edged their group opener and hopes they won't live to rue the scoreless draw with Djurgardens, which was coincidentally also the score between Gent and Molde.

"In the group stage, you do have to make sure that you win your home games," he said. "When you go away it is that bit tougher.

"It was a very tight game and they did have chances to go on and win it. But I do think the draw was probably a fair result.

"Djugardens are a good side but it might be one that they look back on two or three games down the line and say 'We probably should have gone for that a little bit