David McMillan: Shamrock Rovers favourites but must stay wary of TNS' familiar faces

Former Dundalk striker David McMillan anticipates Shamrock Rovers will find The New Saints to be a tougher nut to crack than Larne but believes the Hoops should feel hopeful of benefiting from home advantage and picking up another win in the Conference League on Thursday.

After two games in the League Phase of UEFA's third tier club competition, Stephen Bradley's side remain unbeaten after drawing 1-1 at home to APOEL and following it up with a 4-1 victory over Larne in Belfast.

Another win would move Rovers up to seven points and potentially within striking distance of a historic progression to the play-off round as they try to be among the top 24 teams of the 36 competing in the opening stage.

The back-to-back fixtures against Northern Irish Premiership outfit Larne and Welsh league champions TNS have long been flagged as the two most crucial for the Hoops to try and maximise their points haul.

With one half of the equation ticked off, Rovers will fancy their chances of victory over TNS at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday but McMillan sees reasons to be wary of their Welsh opponents, especially with some familiar faces coming over the Irish Sea.

"There's a couple of players there. Josh Daniels is one people will know who played for Derry City and Glenavon here in Ireland," Dundalk's record goalscorer in European competition told this week'sRTÉ Soccer Podcast.

"Dan Williams played with me at Dundalk for just half a season and was on loan in Stephen O'Donnell's first year.

"He's a good centre midfielder, picked up an injury and had to go back to his loan club after only 6-7 games at the club. He seems to be a mainstay in their midfield.

"And then another player I played with, Declan McManus is their main man up front. He played in