Shamrock Rovers ace Jack Byrne chasing 'big moment' to signal his return to form
Shamrock Rovers host Greek giants PAOK in the Europa League playoff tonight but trail 4-0 after the first-leg
Jack Byrne is searching for the 'big moment' in a game that will truly signal his return to form after his injury nightmare.
But his Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has warned the playmaker and Ireland international not to force the issue.
Byrne has been dogged by serious back and knee injuries in recent years and then suffered a calf problem in pre-season in January that set him back.
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Sunday’s league game against Galway United was his first 90-minute run out since May - and only his second of a stop-start season.
But the 28-year-old will start against Greek giants PAOK tonight with Rovers looking to win the game, even though the tie is beyond them.
Their focus will then switch to tomorrow’s European draw for the Europa Conference League group stages - a campaign that will extend their season to Christmas at least.
Byrne admits it has been difficult to find any rhythm to his game considering the sporadic nature of his appearances.
“I’m not stupid, I know that it’s not just going to flick on overnight, it’s going to take work,” said Byrne.
“It’s going to take a big moment in a game where you think," Right I’m back”. So I’m searching for that moment.”
Byrne continued: “I'm at my best when I'm in my rhythm. Before I got injured last season I don't think there was a game where I didn't start.
“I think it was 26 or 27 games in a row and that's when I'm at my best, when I'm knocking the games off. I can be creative, I can take risks and I'm not chasing. It comes naturally.
"My game is demanding on my body with my twisting and turning, my low centre of gravity, so it does take a while to get back up to speed.”
New Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson will today name his first senior squad to play England and Greece in the Nations League.
Byrne won the last of his four caps in 2020 but hasn’t been in the discussion for inclusion since then because of his various injury setbacks and the impact that had.
Right now, he admits his battle is getting into the Rovers team - never mind the international squad. But he believes he can rediscover his best form with the Hoops.
With 10 league games to play and at least six group stage games in Europe, as well as tonight’s PAOK clash, there is plenty of football to come.
Byrne said: "I look around and I believe that, on my day, I'm still one of the best players in the league and one of the best players in the country.
"But there’s no point in talking about it, you need to produce it. I think I've had one 90 minutes since I've been back in a couple of months.
“"Maybe it's a bit unfair on myself to expect to be at those levels when you haven't played that much football.
"But in your mind you expect that when you go out onto the pitch. You expect the best version of Jack Byrne to be on the pitch. But it takes time to get there."
And that sentiment is being rammed home by Rovers boss Stephen Bradley who has stressed to Byrne his need for patience.
Bradley said: “As you get older your body changes and takes longer to get back to your levels and that's only normal.
“Jack is slightly frustrated as he wants to be back to those levels now, but it takes time.”
And ahead of the PAOK clash, Bradley hailed Byrne’s maturity in understanding that he cannot force the issue.
The Hoops boss added: “A young Jack coming back from Kilmarnock could be a different conversation and more difficult to manage.
“There’s a process to get back to that ‘big moment’ (he spoke about). And when you're that type of player, it's all the little simple bits that add up to the big moments.
“Instead of looking for the through ball or killer ball every time, it might be once in a game and when you get back to your levels it becomes more regular.
“I understand what Jack is saying as he wants that to happen tomorrow, but it's about understanding that it takes time to get back there - and he will.”
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