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Stephen Fallon: Linfield have chance to make Europa group stage but must stay focused on Bosnia trip

Stephen Fallon is confident Linfield will progress

©INPHO/Presseye/Brian Little

Stephen Fallon is confident Linfield will progress

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland - 2nd November 2009.
Belfast Telegraph staff Images Graham Luney

Graham Luney Twitter Email

July 28 2021 07:00 AM

Linfield midfielder Stephen Fallon says he’s confident his side won’t blow their golden chance to progress in the Europa Conference League when they take a handsome 4-0 lead into their away leg against Bosnian side FK Borac Banja Luka tomorrow.

A stunning performance at Windsor Park last week has left David Healy’s men in a commanding position as they aim to set up a third qualifying round battle with either Fola Esch of Luxembourg or Shakhtyor from Belarus, with Fola leading 2-1 after the first leg.

And if the Premiership champions can win that showdown they will bag a play-off tie and a shot at becoming the first Irish League side to make the lucrative group stages of European competition.

But that chance to make history must be placed to the back of minds as the Blues have a mission to complete against a smarting Bosnian side thirsty for revenge tomorrow (7pm kick-off).

Goals from Michael Newberry, Christy Manzinga, Jamie Mulgrew and Jimmy Callacher will see the Blues stride out at the Gradski Stadion with real belief.

Fallon, who has made more than 130 appearances for Linfield despite being only 24-years-old, believes his side can weather a storm in north western Bosnia.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, it will be a hard game away from home in difficult conditions,” said the former Swansea City youngster before boarding the charter flight to Bosnia yesterday.

“They will be a different team with their fans behind them but we can’t take our eye off the ball. It will be a tough game but we must stay focused.

“We know how hard it is to play away from home in Europe but it’s important we put in another good performance and hopefully that’s enough to make it through. I think there’s still an opportunity to make the group stages for teams like ourselves but you have to stay focused on the next game.

"We dominated the first game and the 4-0 result was deserved so we are confident. We know there will be tough periods, we can’t just sit back but we have to manage the game well and have the right mentality.

“The mood is positive after last week’s result. To win 4-0 in any European game is a brilliant achievement and it puts us in a strong position to qualify. We have to make sure we concentrate and get a good result on Thursday.”

Linfield lost their Champions League tie to Zalgiris Vilnius but the first-leg performance against Borac was one of the club’s most convincing performances in Europe in recent history.

Manzinga is weaving magic and despite the loss of experienced trio Andy Waterworth, Mark Stafford and Mark Haughey, Fallon likes the current blend of youth and experience within the panel.

“It’s a younger squad,” added Fallon, who joined the Blues in 2016.

“We’ve lost experienced players but many at the club have a lot of experience.

“You look at Jimmy (Callacher), Clarkey (Matthew Clarke), Jamie (Mulgrew), Quinny (Niall Quinn) and obviously we’ve brought in the likes of Chris Shields. There’s plenty of experience and young players who are fresh and hungry to do well.

“It’s a good mixture of youth and experience.

“Christy (Manzinga) had a tough start with injury but we always saw his ability in training.

“It was a tough year for him and it’s hard to get started when you miss a pre-season.

“He has now made an unbelievable start to this season and we knew he was capable of it.

“He’s really strong up there for us and he looks unstoppable.”

Linfield are confident they can get a new contract for Healy over the line and Fallon is awaiting positive news.

“I’ve loved working with David,” he continued.

“I worked with him before with Northern Ireland underage groups and when I spoke to him there was only one place I wanted to go which was Linfield.

“He has given me opportunities that perhaps another coach might not have done as he doesn’t know me as well.

“David stuck with me when I was a teenager and people were asking if this player was good enough for the Irish League.

“I’m certainly grateful that he has kept faith in me and I really enjoy working with him.”

Stephen Fallon: Linfield have chance to make Europa group stage but must stay focused on Bosnia trip

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