Kenny Shiels has backed Ollie Horgan’s Finn Harps to survive in the Premier Division this season.
Shiels, never one to be short on soundbites, was in typical mode last night after his Derry City defeated Harps 2-0 in Ballybofey.
Darren Cole and Aaron McEneff both scored late on as City returned to third in the table.
It was a first defeat in three for Harps, who are still out of the relegation mud. Although just two points separate Harps and the Division’s low-water level, Shiels says Harps will stay up.
“There is no way Finn Harps will go down,” the Derry manager said.
“There is not a chance. Not a chance. They are too good. They are too committed. You could see the commitment they gave tonight.
“It has happened where they have played well against us and the aftermath hasn’t been so good, so they have to keep playing with that commitment.”
Rather more mischievously, perhaps, Shiels says that the derby victory for Derry will end Harps’ ambition of getting into Europe!
Pre-match, Shiels spoke of Harps’ ‘investment’ in their squad. That, alongside his remarks about Harps being European contenders certainly drew smirks.
Shiels said: “I knew it would be difficult. They have made investments in their squad. I don’t think they’ll qualify for Europe now. We have stretched the gap and it will be a tall order for them now.
“The squad that they have is very rich and strong and we’re putting teenage defenders in against them. You have to be brave to do that and I feel proud that I did it in such a big game.
“We have a great youth policy, but it isn’t a great youth policy if we don’t play the players. To be in third place with a bunch of kids is a great achievement.”
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