Shiels remains confident Swifts can maintain Premiership status

DEAN Shiels insists Dungannon Swifts remain very confident of holding onto their Premiership status.

Their 20-year top-flight tenure is on the line tonight (Thursday) when they take on Annagh in the second leg of the promotion-relegation play-off.

They trail 2-1 after the Championship side pulled off a big shock in Tuesday night’s first game.

Now, after 39 matches spanning 10 months, it all comes down to one final fixture.

Shiels, however, insists he is remaining calm ahead of arguably the biggest game in the club’s recent history.

“It’s only half-time, there is no panic,” he said.

“There is loads and loads of time left in this tie and we are still very, very confident of getting the job finished.”

In Tuesday evening’s first leg Dungannon had led after three minutes at the BMG Arena through Mayowa Animasahun’s header.

But Annagh hit back straight away, with Michael Ruddy heading into his own goal from Craig Taylor’s cross.

Then, in the second half, Taylor put the home side in front with a stunning strike.

Dungannon pushed hard for an equaliser, with Corey Smith and Stephen Scott going close late on.

Shiels added: “We know what’s needed – we spoke about it, the players understand what’s needed. There’s not really much time for words. It is about actions now and getting the job done.”