Linfield's Shelbourne rematch 'silly'
'Qualification would be reward for club stalwarts'
The 34-year-old Dubliner has previous group stage experience in Europe with Dundalk in 2016 and 2020 and said it would be "the pinnacle" for a lot of the squad should the Blues turn the tables on the League of Ireland champions this time around. "The likes of Jamie Mulgrew, Kirk Millar... It's Kirk's testimonial year this year, so no more fitting year to get into the group stage," he said."People who've been at the club a long time, David (Healy) the manager for a long time and (kit manager) Gary Eccles here for 41 years - it would be good for these people to get to the group stage."Shields missed the first leg of the Champions League qualifier at Tolka Park in July due to suspension but is available for Thursday's return to Dublin which could see him make his 60th appearance in European competition.That game was Linfield's first competitive fixture of the new campaign with Shelbourne midway through their own domestic season and Shields is hopeful the "minutes in the legs" since will put the Blues in a better position this time around. "We're definitely better prepared," he added."We've had six European matches and every one of them were tough and challenging matches [that] you are never going to get with a friendly, plus the Dungannon (league) game last weekend."We've the minutes in the legs and the bodies are in a far better position going into this round than the first round when we met them. The unknown is out the window as we are familiar with how Shelbourne play and we're more familiar with how we play since going into the last one."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
17 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Jayden Meghoma explains the key Rangers factors in his loan transfer after Brentford exit
The left-back has become the 10th signing of the summer at Ibrox New Rangers recruit Jayden Meghoma insists he'll be up to speed in no time as he looks forward to reuniting with Russell Martin. The Brentford left-back has become the Ibrox boss' 10th new signing of the summer after joining Rangers on a season-long loan. Martin has been forced to act quick to get the former Southampton kid on board with Jefte on the verge of a £6million move home to Brazilian side Palmeiras. And it means Meghoma could be plunged into a baptism of fire on Tuesday night as his new side prepare for a £40million Champions League showdown with Club Brugge. The Light Blues are still waiting for international clearance to come through but are hopeful they will have the paperwork signed off in time for the 19-year-old to face the Belgians. And if it does, Meghoma says it won't take him long to click back into Martin's way of playing having made his senior debut under the former Saints boss this time two years ago. He said: 'I'm very excited. It's a fantastic club and I know a lot about its history. 'Knowing the manager was probably the biggest influence coming here. I know Russell from my time at Southampton, I think he's a fantastic coach and I understand the way he plays, so I think for me to get integrated into the team, it'll be quite quick. 'It makes you feel more at ease because you know how he plays. He's a manager that I'm familiar with. 'All the learnings I've taken from him over the past, I can still remember. It's fantastic for me to get integrated straight away and understand how to play his style of football. 'Russell handed me my debut at Southampton. I think it was against Gillingham in the Carabao Cup. I felt comfortable straight away. 'The way he played, there's a lot of possession-based football and it's something I really enjoy, so I thank him for that. 'When the deal was presented to me, I just thought straight away it's a fantastic opportunity for myself and my family. I was always going to be here because it's an amazing club and a fantastic club that has so much history. So, yeah, it was always Rangers. 'The main thing is results. If I can add to that, it'll be amazing.' Rangers do not have an option to make the deal permanent but Martin is excited about the loan swoop nonetheless. He said: 'I am really pleased to welcome Jayden to Rangers. I have worked with him before, and I know exactly what he brings. He is a young player with big potential, real athleticism and a great attitude. 'He is hungry to learn and improve, and I'm confident he'll thrive in this environment. We're excited to help him take the next step in his career here at Ibrox.'
Glasgow Times
22 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
David Gray demands ‘patience' for record Hibernian signing Thibault Klidje
The 24-year-old Togo forward was pitched in after being restricted to four substitute appearances since his seven-figure transfer from Swiss side Luzern earlier this summer. Klidje capped what Gray described as an 'excellent' performance by glancing home a 43rd-minute header before substitute Josh Mulligan's stunning late strike secured victory and set up a quarter-final trip to Rangers next month. 'I'm delighted for Thibault getting his goal,' said the manager. 'Bringing centre-forwards to your club, you want them to try and get off the mark as quickly as they can. 'We've been very patient with him and we'll continue to be. I'm not going to rush him at all, and that doesn't change on the back of a good performance today. He still needs to settle but that'll do his confidence a world of good today. 'I thought with his energy, his work rate and running in behind, he was a constant threat. We know that's what we'll get out of him, but he's still got improvement to come, he's a young boy.' Gray made six changes to his side in between Conference League matches against Partizan Belgrade and Legia Warsaw and was pleased to see his depth of squad highlighted with 'a very professional performance'. The manager is relishing the last-eight trip to Rangers on the weekend of September 20. 'To win the trophy you need to try and beat the best teams and it'll be a real tough test,' said Gray. 'There's a lot of football to be played between now and then but coming to this football club is an opportunity to try and win things and when that game comes around we'll be looking forward to it.' Livi boss David Martindale conceded the better team won, saying: 'I don't think we deserved to go through, Hibs deserved it. 'We lost a poor goal just before half-time but I don't think there was much in the game until then. 'Hibs are flying and against top-six teams you get crucified, that's what happens against the bigger clubs. 'Second half we changed shape and it helped us, we looked like we might get the next goal. 'But Mulligan came up with an incredible goal and then the game ran away from us.'
Glasgow Times
23 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Newcastle hail signing of Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa as ‘fantastic addition'
The 24-year-old has signed a long-term contract with the Magpies, who are understood to have paid an initial £39million for his services, with a further £4m due in add-ons. The Villa academy graduate, who made 167 appearances for the club, 10 of them in last season's Champions League, is head coach Eddie Howe's fourth acquisition of a difficult summer. Jacob Ramsey is a Mag! 🙌 — Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 17, 2025 Ramsey said: 'I'm delighted to be here. It's been a mad two or three days, but I'm really happy to be here and I can't wait to get started. 'This is a big move for me, but as soon as I knew the gaffer was interested and really liked me, it didn't take much time to decide. His track record of developing players, especially those who have gone on to become internationals here, speaks for itself. 'It was always a tough game playing for Villa against Newcastle – the team is full of energy, so athletic and the fans are so passionate. I feel my game will suit that and I'm excited to be on the other end of it now.' The Magpies launched their Premier League campaign with a 0-0 draw at Villa on Saturday and Ramsey will join the squad on the training pitch as they begin preparations for champions Liverpool's visit to Tyneside a week on Monday. Howe said: 'Jacob is another fantastic addition to our squad. His qualities will bring us something different on the pitch and he fits the profile of being young and hungry to develop, but also with a wealth of Premier League football under his belt. 'Jacob offers versatility and his directness in attack has proven to be a real threat at this level in recent seasons. He performed very well in the Champions League last season too and we believe he'll be a major asset for us.' Ramsey was part of England's European Under-21 Championship-winning squad in 2023 alongside new team-mate Anthony Gordon. He joins Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale and Malick Thiaw in heading for St James' this summer, although much of the focus has been on the future of wantaway striker Alexander Isak, who was not involved at Villa Park.
