By Gary Ferry
IN BELARUS
Shane McEleney is out to make amends tonight.
The Derry City defender was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons last week as his mistake led to the only goal in the first leg of the Europa League Qualifier against Shakhtyor Soligork at the Brandywell.
McEleney gifted a pass to Nikolai Yanush who rounded Gerard Doherty to score, and that goal is all that separates the sides ahead of tonight’s second leg.
The 23-year-old is hoping to retain his place in the starting line up regardless and he is aiming to make amends for last week’s error.
“I looked to my right and I didn’t look to my left,” he recalled. “Everyone makes mistakes because we’re only human. I could have buckled under the pressure after that but I didn’t. I felt I had a decent game.
“From a personal point of view I’ll be looking to make things right. I wouldn’t like to think that if we were to lose 1-0 it would have been my mistake which got us put out of Europe. Hopefully I can get a start and we can do the business.”
The Derry City players trained at the Stroitel Stadium last night and the good news for the Candy Stripes is that the pitch is in good shape ahead of this evening’s tie.
“The pitch is good first and foremost and it’s a big pitch so it should suit us down to the ground,” McEleney explained. “The stadium is also nice and tight so there should be a good atmosphere with the fans, so we’re looking forward to the game and hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves.”
There was ultimately little to separate the sides at the Brandywell last week and McEleney is hoping that with a bit more belief, Derry can turn the tables on Soligorsk in their own back yard tonight.
“The whole team played well last week, especially in the second half. I thought we gave a good account of ourselves and we could have got a draw from the game. Rory Patterson had one cleared off the line and Gerard made a couple of saves, but the game remains in the balance and if we get an early goal you never know what could happen”
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