Time moving too fast for Derry City boss Ruaidhri Higgins

Ruaidhri Higgins wishes he could slow down time as he continues his preparations for a brand-new season with the season opener now just over a month away.

The Candystripes kick off the 2023 season with a Presidents’ Cup game against Shamrock Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on February 10 and Higgins is finding that the days are passing too quickly as he attempts to finalise his squad for a season he hopes will end with the club’s first league title in 26 years.

It is believed that Higgins will attempt to bring Ben Doherty back to his home-town club in the coming days, as part of a deal which will see defender Michael Glynn and midfielder Joe Thomson go the other way to Larne.

The details of that deal are still being finalized, but if completed, 25-year-old Doherty would become the latest Derryman to return to the Brandywell under Higgins, joining Shane McEleney, Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy.

Doherty, who first appeared under Kenny Shiels back in 2016, has already made 59 appearances for Derry City, scoring one goal. Doherty would become the third new signing at the club in the close-season, joining striker Colm Whelan and goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan.

Higgins would not be drawn on any speculation however but did admit that he is hopeful of adding new players to the squad before the new campaign officially kicks off in just over five weeks’ time.

“It's mental how quickly it’s flying in,” he said. “The one thing I would like to stop is time. It doesn’t stop and it’s just relentless and we’re getting close now. I’m looking forward to seeing the players getting even fitter over the next few weeks.

“We’ll look to the add to the squad over the next four weeks or so. As I said before, we’re delighted with our squad, but if we can add one or two in certain areas, then we’ll do it.”

Pre-season training

The Derry City players returned to pre-season training this week ahead of a busy schedule which will see them take in several pre-season games as the preparation for the new season heats up.

“As usual the modern-day players really look after themselves in the off-season,” Higgins continued. “By and large we’re happy with where the majority are at. The of-season is there to be enjoyed and it’s more relaxed because they can go and enjoy a night out here and there, but for the last month there has been a programme in the gym which has got them geared up, especially the local lads who have all worked closely together. The English lads have also come back in good shape and the majority have come back in good condition that we’re happy with.”

The city squad will travel to Alicante at the end of this month and train at the Real Club de Golf Campoamor Complex, a facility previously used by Dundalk when Higgins was part of the backroom team at Oriel Park.

"Going to Spain will be good for the players because a lot of the physical work will be done at that stage, so we'll be able to really nail down how we want to play," Higgins said.

“The facilities there are fantastic, I have used the facilities before. I know the complex and we know what we're getting. It's a really good set-up and it will be great for the players and if we have a few new faces in the door then it will be great for them to get to know each other as well.

"It's a fantastic football complex and I remember at Dundalk we used to go there twice a year.

"It really has everything, meaning we'll be able to get a lot of good work on the pitch. The weather is normally reliable, the pitches are normally of a very high standard and everything is on site so it's brilliant for the players."