Gary Rogers: 'Free hit' factor gives Shamrock Rovers boost for Ferencvaros tie

Former Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers believes Shamrock Rovers should look to make the most of the lack of pressure when they take on Ferencvaros in Budapest on Thursday.

The Hoops' reward for beating KF Shkupi over two legs in the Europa League third qualifying round is a play-off tie against Hungary's most successful club, with both legs live on RTÉ.

While the group stage is at stake in that more lucrative competition, the SSE Airtricity League champions go into the first leg knowing that they are at the very least assured of group stage European football in the Europa Conference League regardless of the result against a Ferencvaros side who played in Champions League proper two years ago and lost on aggregate to Qarabag in the qualifiers.

The comfort of knowing that European football will be played at Tallaght Stadium right into the winter will allow Stephen Bradley's side to play with no fear according to Rogers, who featured for Dundalk during their Europa League group stage campaigns in both 2016-17 and 2020-21.

"It absolutely is a free hit no matter what way you dress it up," he told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

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"Ferencvaros are obviously a very good side. Qarabag are a team I would have played against, beating (Ferencvaros) over the two legs and have continued their progress.

"It's a difficult tie, there's no doubt about, it but at this stage of the competition you're not going to get anybody more attractive to beat and I think for Shamrock Rovers, it's well within their capabilities.