John Russell in Motherwell favourites claim as Sligo Rovers boss ramps up Europa Conference League pressure

The League of Ireland side won the first leg 1-0 at Fir Park but Russell insists they are still underdogs

Sligo Rovers boss John Russell piled the pressure on Motherwell by insisting the Scots remain favourites to progress from tonight’s Europa Conference League clash.

The Irishman is also adamant his side have no intention of sitting on the one-goal lead - established by former Hearts striker Aidan Keena - from the first-leg win in Lanarkshire last week, and claimed his players still have plenty more to prove. A capacity crowd of 3,800 will be at the Showgrounds to see if the League of Ireland outfit can make history by reaching the third qualifying round of a European competition for the first time.

But Russell said the Scottish Premiership side will still be expected to get the job done: “Even though we got a great result last week, Motherwell are still favourites to get through the tie. We’ll be approaching this as though it’s 0-0 and we’ve got to win the match. We’ll not be sitting back and trying to defend a lead. We have a style of play and we’ll have a game plan. We won’t be looking just to sit back.

“The players understand they are playing against a team that is perceived to have better players and are playing in a league of a higher level than our lads are currently playing at.

“A lot of our players have played in the UK and have a point to prove. The stage is now set and it’s brilliant for them. They showed in a good stadium and on a really good pitch last week that they’re well capable of playing.”

Sligo suffered defeat to Welsh side Bala at their own stadium but still edged the tie on penalties having carried a 2-1 lead into the second leg. But Russell said: “It’s slightly different from the last round where there was an expectation within the country that we were going to beat Bala.

“It didn’t play out that way. This game is slightly different in that we’re the underdogs. There is a level of expectation as it’s a football mad town. Everyone here lives and breathes football.

“They’re hoping for a big performance, we’re hoping for a big performance and with the energy they can bring to the ground on the night it might give us an extra push against a top-class opposition.”

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