Alan Reynolds has told his players to embrace and relish the atmosphere and occasion of the Dublin Derby when they travel to Tallaght to take on Shamrock Rovers.
Tomorrow’s hosts are on the cusp of claiming the league title but Reynolds said his side are not focused on spoiling the party, but rather on what they themselves want to achieve.
Bohs go into the game in second place on goal difference and with a determination to stay ahead of the chasing pack in the race to qualify for Europe.
The Gypsies have claimed victory against Rovers in their three meetings so far this season but Reynolds says his side are looking forward to the challenges ahead and not patting themselves on the back for previous results.
He said: “This is a massive game for both clubs. Rovers have been the best team in the league again this season and have consistently been so for several years now, so we know well what we are up against and the size of the challenge ahead.
“They had a blip last season but they are full of quality experienced who have done it all in this league, and they are top of the pile for a reason. But we have quality too. We have shown that over the last few months. We need to assert ourselves and we need to be laser-focused.”
Bohs’ last trip to Tallaght Stadium on Easter Monday marked a turning point for their season.
Reynolds said: “Obviously the last time we travelled to Tallaght, we were in a different place. Results weren’t going our way and we were under serious pressure.
“The result that day and the belief we showed in ourselves to turn around from being 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2 was a turning point for us.
“I always thought our players believed in what we were building towards and how we wanted to play and approach games, but that result and the manner of it was the shot in the arm that we needed for our supporters to start to believe in us too.
“That bond, which is so important to everyone, strengthened after that and with the fans behind our players, we are in a position now that nobody predicted at the start of the season and certainly not after the first series of games.
“But everyone in our dressing room, and everyone at the club, knows we haven’t achieved anything yet and that we have a massive five games left.”
Reynolds’ side go into this game on the back of a 2-1 win against Waterford last week.
He said: “We were nowhere near our best. We got the result which was the most important thing but we know our performance levels have to be a lot higher against a team as good as Rovers.
“Listen, the previous time we had played Waterford in Dalymount we were by far the better team and were left empty-handed. So for me the most important thing last week was that we got all three points but we know we have to be better.
“We got a slice of luck with the opening goal but we were overdue a slice of luck. It was a strange way for Niall Morahan to get his first goal for the club, but he’ll claim it and take it!
“And I was delighted for Archie getting the winner. It was a great finish and he probably feels like it was a long time coming.
“The last time he scored for us was a great goal down in Cork in June and he was determined to kick on after that but then missed out through injury for nearly two months, so it was a special moment for him last week and you could see how much it meant to him.
“So we go to Tallaght Stadium with belief and confidence in ourselves. We have shown that we can beat the best in the league this season but to do that we have had to be at our very best too.
“It will be a massive occasion, the guts of 10,000 people in the stadium. The atmosphere should be electric and I always say that these are exactly the kind of games any footballer should want to be involved in.
“We all need to embrace the occasion, not get caught up in it but embrace the energy of the crowd, and focus on the job we have to do on the pitch.”
Team news
Rhys Brennan (leg) and Ross Tierney (leg) are both doubts.
Supporters not travelling to Tallaght Stadium tomorrow are advised that the Members Bar at Dalymount Park will be open from 7pm and will be showing the game.