'We have to be dominant at home' - Ruaidhri Higgins

Derry City vs. Drogheda United

Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium   |   Friday, 7:45pm

Ruaidhri Higgins knows that Derry City must improve their home form this season if they are to have any real hope of becoming champions.

For all the strengths of opponents such as Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick's Athletic, Derry City's home form has been their main problem in the last two seasons, winning just 17 of 36 games at the Brandywell in 2022 and 2023. Last season, the Candystripes lost 21 points on their own home ground, which, given that they finished seven points behind Rovers in the end, ultimately cost them the league title.

In the past two years, Derry City have dropped 44 points at home, and Higgins knows it will have to improve significantly, starting against Drogheda tomorrow night.

"It's stuff we've touched on to be honest with you," he admitted. "Our away record two years in a row has been the best in the league.

"Early in the season here last year we dropped too many points at home. Our home form definitely improved from the summer onwards but if you're realistic about doing anything then you have to be dominant at home and put teams away here. It's something we're all conscious of and something we really want to ram home and try and make home advantage count a bit more than what we've done.

Derry City also dropped 20 points against teams which finished in the bottom half of the table, and Higgins believes that can absolutely be improved upon in 2024.

"It's something we have to learn from," he acknowledged. "From the bottom five teams in the league we took 40 points from a possible 60 which you would like that to be a bit more. I think this year more than any you can see the two promoted teams are really good sides as well so it will be an extremely competitive league but our home form will be crucial and we want to get off to a good start on Friday night."

The Derry City boss will have years of experience, knowledge and know-how beside him in the dug-out with Paul Hegarty now by his side, an addition which could be as important as any made on the field.

"I know he's only been in a few days but he's made a huge impression on the players already," he said. "I think we're completely different personalities which is what we want. I think the players have really taken to him and I'm really looking forward to working with him.

"I have known him a long time. He used to hammer me at half-time on the odd occasion. We always stayed in touch bar the one or two times we had a wee fallout," he laughed. "We've always stayed in touch. I would like to think I'm obsessed with the game and I love the game but I think this man takes that to another level at times. He loves football and has a real passion and drive for it and that's what we want."

Eager

Hegarty meanwhile is eager to get going, having spent all week with the players, making his comeback to the game he loves after two years away.

"You never know in football," he said. "I've been out of the game for two years and you're thinking 'where's your next opportunity going to come?'

"I had a few wee opportunities here and there but it didn't really appeal to me but you're working here at the top level in the country and it's very difficult to turn that down.

"They seem a very good bunch of lads. They're quiet and the quality is there for everybody to see but we've got to get a wee edge on them and try to push it on another wee bit to try and get ourselves over the line."

Hegarty has been a regular at Derry City games in recent years and he feels there was one obvious thing missing from Derry's game.

"The obvious thing was goals," he continued. "Last year they had the best defensive record in the league. The best away record in the league. So you're not a million miles away but it's those fine lines, that wee edge I think and stuff like that. You need a rub of the green as well and things to go your way and everyone is the same.

"We have what we have and I don't think you would swap that for any other squad in the league at this moment in time. I think we have quality right throughout in all departments from your two goalkeepers who are top notch, to your defenders, midfielders and attacking players and you have one or two to come back as well as the season goes on. If you don't have a belief that you can do really well this season then you're in the wrong game."