Graham Gartland pinpoints Bohemians lessons for Shamrock Rovers revenge mission

Before last month's first derby of the season between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers, Bohs held a commanding lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

While they lost 2-0 to the Hoops at Dalymount Park, fast-forward to the start of this month and Declan Devine's side remain at the summit.

However, the overall picture in the league has changed since the early weeks of the campaign, with Shamrock Rovers having rediscovered their winning touch and moving within four points of Bohs.

Needless to say, if Rovers win Friday's renewal of acquaintances between the sides at Tallaght Stadium, the gap at the top will be slashed to the most minimal of margins.

But what can Bohemians learn from the last encounter as they look to gain a measure of revenge in a fixture that will be live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player?

"They just need to concentrate on the game first and foremost. There was a lot of talk going into the game last time and the game still has to be played. Focus on the game," former Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United defender Graham Gartland told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

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"They did start the game really well with a high tempo but once the game settled they needed to counteract what Shamrock Rovers were doing in terms of controlling their midfield."

Gartland pointed to the way in which the likes of Jack Byrne and Graham Burke pulled out into wider channels to isolate the Bohemians full-backs whilst giving Rovers an edge last month.

"(Bohs) need to find a way to counteract