Jack Byrne says it is time stadium development is put in step with the progress made by clubs in the SSE Airtricity League.
The Shamrock Rovers ace believes the Hoops could have brought 4,000 supporters to Dalymount Park for tonight's big Dublin derby if supply matched demand.
However the ground, which is awaiting redevelopment, can only hold 4,400 in total for the meeting of the Premier Division leaders and the reigning champions.
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Byrne is impressed by the rise in standards since he first joined the Hoops for the first time in 2019.
“Not only the league, but the clubs as well," said the 28-year-old midfielder.
“When I first came back, I think we had 2,500 at a Derry game and it was like, ‘this is a massive crowd'.
“The Bohs games, they only started to really get 4,000 or 5,000 when I came back.
"But Pats came to Tallaght and brought 1,200 fans. That’s unbelievable. That’s what you want."
The growth in interest in the League means that plenty of fans will miss out, although it helps that Virgin Media is showing the game live tonight.
“If we could bring 4,000 to Dalymount and they (Bohs) could bring 4,000 to Tallaght, they would," Byrne said.
“There is frustration around the fact that some of the stadiums are not able to hold those crowds.
“I just think that the league now compared to the one I came back to, the standard of player, the professionalism, the crowds, it’s just gone to another level.
“If we could move on some of the stadiums it would really help.”
After a slow start Rovers find themselves 10 points adrift of pace-setters Bohs.
It makes for an explosive Friday night in Phibsboro but Byrne is confident that the four in a row chasing Hoops can handle the pressure.
“Maybe some of the lads here weren’t used to playing in that type of situation," he said, referring to when he joined the club.
“We used to do silly things in those games and go down to 10 men.
"I remember we got two lads sent off in one game - the emotion in that game compared to other games was completely different because there was a big crowd and it was hostile.
“Most of the games are like that now. Since I've been here, it's probably been Bohs' biggest game because they haven't really been up and around the top of the League.
"Obviously that's changed now, they're top and we're chasing them so it's a big game for both clubs at the moment."
Byrne feels that he is nearing his best again after an injury-hit few years.
The Ireland international admits that he was playing through the pain barrier with a back injury despite winning the Player of the Year award in 2020, a problem that continued during his nine months at APOEL Nicosia.
When he returned to Rovers, further injury issues materialised with calf and stomach muscle issues leaving him well short of full fitness and out of the picture with Ireland.
"I know the game, I’m not stupid, I know my own performances over the years so I know when I’m at it and when I wasn't," said Byrne.
"It wasn’t that I wasn’t doing the right things last season, I just wasn’t able to build a level of fitness that was a good base for me to attack games. Yeah, it was frustrating."
However after a full pre-season, Byrne is back firing for the Hoops.
"I don't think I'm at my optimum level," Byrne said. "I think I will be. I think I'm going in the right direction."
He is hopeful of an Ireland recall.
"If I do well and the club do well, especially if we're around the top of the table and pushing on in Europe again and playing at a high level, I don't see why not," the Dubliner commented.
"All going well I can be in the shop window, but if I drop off from now until then I won’t be.
"It’s just about trying to keep it up, keep doing well and seeing where we go. If I concentrate on myself and do the right things, I think I can."
A big performance against Bohs would interest Stephen Kenny and Rovers boss Stephen Bradley predicts it could be a big night for his playmaker.
"He invariably steps up, wants the ball and tries to make things happen," said Bradley.
"For me, that’s bravery of the highest order when you have that in you. He does that, especially these games. He thrives in the big Dublin derbies and the atmosphere around them."
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