Getting 'distances' right key for Shamrock Rovers on Gent odyssey

While Shamrock Rovers have enjoyed strong results at home during their European run, the challenge for Stephen Bradley's side in the Europa Conference League group stages will be how they cope with the away assignments.

They kicked off the group campaign with a 0-0 draw against Djurgardens last Thursday on home soil but this week, they head to Belgium to take on KAA Gent.

As the Pot 1 side in the group, Gent on paper are the most difficult side the Hoops will face in the group phase and especially away from Tallaght Stadium.

Previewing Thursday evening's game on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, Graham Gartland and Ollie Cahill said learning lessons from their recent defeats away at Ludogorets and Ferencvaros will be vital if Rovers are to salvage anything this week.

"That's the one thing they'll probably look back on from the European run is those away games, and even spells in those away games that have cost them the ties overall," said ex-Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians, Cork City and Drogheda United winger Cahill.

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"The lesson learned from the Djurgardens (home) game was that they were under a little bit of pressure, but they saw it out and they didn't concede so they're learning all the time and that's something when you're going away, most teams are compact, keep it nice and tight, see how they get on and grow into the game gradually."

Gartland pointed out that spacing was an issue in Budapest when they lost at Ferencvaros in the Europa League qualifier first leg.

"It's the distances.