NATIONAL League Champions St Patrick's Athletic will go into this evening's UEFA Cup first leg match against Slovan Bratislava with qualification for the first round proper very much on their minds, according to manager Brian Kerr.
And Kerr insists that, after growing used to winning last season, his men will not be easily frightened.
They wouldn't want to be, for their visitors arrive in Dublin with half of the Slovakian national squad.
Slovakia missed out on qualification for Euro 96 after finishing third in their group behind France and Romania. There will also be a sprinkling of under 21 stars on their team bus, as well as their Brazilian striker Luis Fabio Gomes.
"They'll be some outfit alright, but we lost one game in 27 up to the end of last season and we tend to think in terms of winning," said Kerr yesterday.
Amongst the new men likely to be involved in tonight's proceedings at Richmond Park (7.45 p.m.) are former UCD players Packie Lynch and Brian McKenna, while Trevor Crolly is also in the reckoning for a place in the starting lineup.
Kerr says that it has been difficult for the team to prepare for what will be one of their biggest matches of the season at a time when they would normally have been enjoying a well earned holiday. "It has been tricky but the lads have put in a tremendous effort over the last few weeks," he said.
Kerr's assessment of the opposition as "real stars" is reinforced by the fact that one defender, Vladimir Kinder, is reported to have already been sold to Hamburg for in excess of £1 million. The transfer will take effect after these European games. Several other players have attracted attention from overseas and Southampton manager Graeme Souness will among the crowd this evening, hoping to lure another of the talented Slovakians away from Bratislava.
The team will be hard to break down for the Dubliners. The national team's regular goalkeeper and entire defence will all be playing together. They are also very dangerous up front.
On the face of it, a result of any sort would be an achievement for the locals, but Kerr is adamant that "we will try to win the game by as many goals as possible so that we can win the tie".
