16-07-2025
Chris Shields believes patience is key for Linfield in Shels clash and reveals they won't go ‘gung ho'
CHRIS Shields insists Linfield must be patient to avoid a Champions League bum's rush against Shelbourne.
The former
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Shields spent 13 years playing in the League of Ireland before joining Linfield
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Linfield find themselves 1-0 down to Shelbourne on aggregate ahead of kick-off
The Dubliner cut a frustrated figure at
Shields said: 'You're not happy losing a game but in Champions League fixtures you've seen much worse defeats turned around.
'It's about getting momentum early on, not going gung ho and leaving our a***s exposed after the first ten or 15 minutes. It's about managing the game.'
Shields reckons that means they must not think of the north v south angle of the game.
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He said: 'I never got into the ideology of a north v south game. I think just the set-up of the game, two teams battling to get into the next round of the Champions League, which is huge for both financially.'
Both sides have pocketed at least €960,000 in prize money but tonight is worth €750,000 to the winners.
Victory guarantees at least three more Euro ties and group-stage football — which would be secured by winning one more game — and a minimum €3.1million.
Blues boss David Healy takes charge of his 500th game tonight and wants cool heads to prevail.
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The former Northern Ireland striker said: 'These players believe there's an opportunity.
'One thing we won't do is be gung ho from a very early stage.'
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