Karl Sheppard is full of hope for Shamrock Rovers’ new season ahead of tomorrow’s first match against Derry

SHAMROCK ROVERS striker Karl Sheppard believes that the Hoops have a better chance of success this year after clearing out "big egos" who he feels were living off past glories.

Trevor Croly has changed his personnel significantly ahead of tomorrow's televised opener with Derry City at Tallaght Stadium – so much so that Sheppard is one of only five survivors from the group that reached the Europa League in 2011.

Sheppard (23) thinks they have a better chance of improving on last year's disappointing fifth-place finish with a freshened squad.

Mark Quigley and Derek Foran were not part of the European group, but they were the most vocal of the players who have departed and had uncomplimentary words to say about Croly's first year in charge when they left at the end of last season to eventually link up with St Patrick's Athletic.

Foran described the dressing room as "horrible" and "nasty", while Quigley complained of a lack of opportunities.

BLAME

Sheppard hit back yesterday, declaring: "It's very easy to blame everyone else. Personally, I didn't have a very good season and the first thing I did was look at myself and ask what I could have done better. I think a lot of these players who have caned the club need to do that.

"A few have been bouncing around from club to club and what they should be asking is 'Why did last season not go right for me? Was I the problem?'

"Maybe last year there were too many big egos in the dressing-room, too many boys happy to point fingers at everyone else rather than themselves.

"When you underperform, the easiest thing to do is say 'I'm not playing well because of this person or I'm playing out of position.'

"I think this year there is a lot more youth in the team, which brings hunger. When I came in first under Michael (O'Neill), the first thing I noticed was everyone wanted to win and there was a winning mentality.

"When I came back (in 2013 from Reading) I don't think that same hunger was there.

"This year I see that back. I'd prefer to be with a team that's looking to do well with younger lads rather than boys who think they've proven themselves and are just living off that."

Meanwhile, Croly, who was speaking at a sponsorship announcement with Hyundai, has suggested that Roddy Collins' comments last week – which suggested that the Hoops supremo was under pressure – were an attempt from the new Derry manager to deflect from his own situation.

"Maybe he's feeling it (pressure)," said Croly. "I'll have a chat after the game and maybe I can help him with it. I'll give him a hand with it."

Stephen McPhail is in line for his league debut, although he has struggled with a niggle during the week.

Like Sheppard, Croly senses a better atmosphere around his dressing-room this year.

"It's a positive group, a hungry group," he said.

"You can see this week there's a bit extra, they're bubbling. There's something brewing."

History will be made in Cobh tonight when Rovers' second team make their debut in the First Division.

Croly intends to take in most of their games but will not be present for their opener as he is watching the meeting of Sligo Rovers and Athlone at the Showgrounds ahead of travelling to take on the newly promoted Midlanders next Friday.

SHAMROCK ROVERS V DERRY CITY

LIVE, RTE 2 TOMORROW, 5.25

Irish Independent