Shiels says players should relish the challenge of playing the league’s top side

DEAN Shiels insists that Dungannon should relish the challenge of facing the league’s best sides.

The Swifts are in the middle of their toughest run of the campaign – playing each of the top four in successive games.

Having been narrowly beaten by Glentoran at the weekend, they travel to table-topping Linfield this afternoon.

They then face second-placed Cliftonville on Tuesday night, before hosting Crusaders, who are fourth, in their final pre-split match.

Shiels said they should not be approaching the games with any trepidation.

“We have to play the top four – all in a row – which is brilliant,” he said.

“Those are the games you want. You want to play against the best teams and you want to challenge yourself against the best players.

“I thought we did that on Saturday against Glentoran – we stood up to the challenge.

“Maybe a few weeks ago we would have conceded a second goal, but we stayed in the game, created chances and we gave everything.”

Dungannon are ninth – seven points above the relegation zone, but Shiels is conscious that the job is far from done.

He wants to head into the post-split fixtures with the gap over the bottom two as wide as possible.

“I still think we are in a relegation battle – there are still teams trying to catch us and we have to try and earn more points,” he added.

“Going into that split, we want to be as far away from bottom and second bottom as we can.

“That is the aim and we will look at Linfield as the first opportunity to win some of those points.”
Dungannon lost 1-0 to the Glens last weekend, but Shiels said he was “proud” of his side after a courageous performance.

They ran Mick McDermott’s side close, with goalkeeper Aaron McCarey having to make two big saves in the second half to stop the Swifts equalising after Conor McMenamin’s goal late in the first half.

Shiels was also impressed with his new look defensive pairing, with January signings Garry Breen and Bilel Mohsni forming a promising understanding over the last two games.

“Bilel and Garry Breen have been fantastic since we paired them up,” he added.

“In the first half on Saturday Bilel had a few wee timing issues with the bounce of the ball, and maybe got a bit too tight at times.

“But in the second half I thought he was superb – in and out of possession, Garry Breen as well beside him.

“They bring those defensive qualities and things we have lacked all season – they give us that structure and organisation.

“Going forward they will be a massive help towards the end of the season.

“Bilel has played for Tunisia, he’s been to the African Nations Cup, he’s played for Rangers and has got so much experience.

“You look at Cahal McGinty who did really well beside him (at left back) – young players will look at him and learn off him.”

Dungannon have played the last two games without goalkeeper Declan Dunne, who suffered a jaw injury against Larne last month.

Shiels is hopeful that Dunne may be fit for Saturday, while he is also waiting on the return to fitness of winger Darragh McBrien.

He added: “We have missed Darragh – obviously in January we lost Oisin Smyth and Keith Cowan, so Darragh has been a big loss for us too.

“But we have got good competition now and everyone is fighting for their place.”