DYLAN WATTS reckons Shamrock Rovers’ Conference League run can change the perception of the barstoolers who normally do not watch League of Ireland.
The League is growing in popularity with crowds with attendances up by 19.5 percent on last year and 77 percent on pre-Covid while television audiences are up by 42 percent.
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But Watts reckons that Rovers’ European results that have seen them make history and qualify for the knockout stage next season will make others sit up and take notice.
The PFA Ireland Player of the Year said: “For us, we know what we’re about and that’s all that matters.
“Now to do it in Europe might show people who may not know much about the league that we are a top side and we can handle it in Europe.”
Boss Stephen Bradley added: “I would hope we are having a positive impact around Europe for the league and us as a club. I would hope so.
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“I hope people have seen that the last few years, and especially this year, and will give us respect as a team and a club, but moreso the league.
“I think that is really important. We are working extremely hard to try and grow this team and club, and the league as a whole.
“I would hope we have gained a little bit of respect for the league as a whole.”
The Hoops are unbeaten in the Conference League in five games to date having beaten Larne, TNS and Borac while drawing with Rapid Vienna and APOEL.
That has guaranteed them a play-off place – and a minimum of €4.6 million in prize money – next February.
But tonight they take on Chelsea looking to secure a top eight position of the 36 Conference League games and a bye to the last 16, which guarantees another €1 million.
Currently, the Hoops are ranked sixth though only a victory over the London giants would guarantee them a top eight place, though a draw or – less likely – a defeat could be okay.
Bradley smiled: “We’ll just aim to win so! It’s straightforward. I can’t control any of that and it is what it is.
“If we start looking elsewhere against this level, you’re in trouble. We’ll just focus doing the best we can here.
“When we come in after the game, everything will be as it is. If we’re in the play-off, we’re in the play-offs. If we’re not, we’re not, we’re not.
“Isn’t it a nice thing that we’re actually talking about it? As a club and team, we have a chance of going through automatic but we’re in the play-off. It’s a nice place to be.”
Watts added: “A massive occasion and it will be a very difficult game but it’s one everyone is looking forward to.
“They have a lot of world class players. We know that. I think as a team it’s going to be a really interesting one.
“These are the reasons you play football, to play in games like these against world class players.”