One of the more impressive aspects of Shamrock Rovers’ European run is their ability to respond to setbacks.
But Jack Byrne is calling for perspective too, insisting the Hoops cannot afford to get cocky on the back of some decent results.
Rovers have been particularly good at home, beating Hibernians, Ludogorets, Shkupi and Ferencvaros before drawing with Djurgardens in last week’s group opener.
READ MORE: A 13-year-old Irish kid makes football history with senior top level appearance
Yet as admirable and confidence boosting as the unbeaten home record is, Rovers star Byrne feels it would be foolish to oversell those results.
Particularly so when Rovers were well beaten in the first-leg away to Ludogorets and Ferencvaros - and that away form against better sides remains their Achilles heel.
Byrne is back in action after four months of injury woe and, ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Belgian aces Gent, feels Rovers have plenty to improve on away from home.
“Europe does suit us the way we play as we’re a passing side but we’ve got a tough game tomorrow,” he said.
“This season, we haven’t really done well away from home against the better opposition in Europe.
“In Bulgaria (3-0) and Hungary (4-0) we got beaten and probably shot ourselves in the foot a little bit out there. We’ll be going into tomorrow’s game with that in mind.
“We’ve made mistakes and we need to rectify that and I’m sure we will because there are points up for grabs and it’s a massive game.”
Addressing the unbeaten home record, Byrne said: “You have to take into consideration that while we look in control in Tallaght, Ferencvaros were 4-0 up.
“Ludogorets were 3-0 up when they came to us. They may have been coming with a different game plan. It’s different when a team is coming and it’s 0-0 and they set up.
“So I think we’ll find out more about what it’s like playing home and away in these group games.
“It’s important that we don’t get carried away when teams fill their stadium out. We can’t feel under pressure - we need to play our game.
“And we need to be aware that there are points up for grabs. It’s important to stay in games even when we don’t have total control.”
Byrne is just relieved to be playing a part after the guts of four months on the sidelines until his return in over the last month.
Back in late May, he injured his calf against Drogheda but recovered just in time to play a role off the bench in the opening European game away to Hibernians of Malta.
Days later, Byrne tore a stomach muscle when kicking a ball in training and he was swiftly back on the outside looking in.
“I was disappointed to pick them up but that’s football, that’s life and you just have to deal with it,” he said.
“It’s a blow when you find out you’ve done something else but I’m just happy to be back and in the last couple of weeks I’ve been building the minutes up.
“These (European) games are the games I came back to be involved in but I know how important it is for me to keep building the minutes.
“We’ve a massive game tomorrow but we have a huge game on Sunday as well against Derry in the Cup.
“It’s impossible for any of us lads to play 90 on Thursday and 90 on Sunday so we need the squad and we have a good squad.”
Byrne was back amongst the goals on Sunday, netting the Rovers’ fifth and final one in the 5-1 rout of Finn Harps, while also playing a big role in both Neil Farrugia’s goals.
And the half hour runout against Djurgardens in Tallaght last week, will help with getting his eye in here in Gent tomorrow when over 1,000 Rovers fans will travel.
“That was a tough game to come into because they were fit boys, they were good and they were coming on strong,” explained Byrne.
“It’s never ideal when you’re coming on as a sub because you’re getting your second wind and then the game is finished.
“You try and affect it as well as you can. It’s difficult when you’re playing good opposition and you’re probably not controlling the game as much.
“A 5-1 home game against Finn Harps - it’s difficult to get a real gauge on where you are but I’m just happy to have got the minutes in the legs. There’s still work to be done.”
Meanwhile, Justin Ferizaj has been hailed as a model student as he continues his football education in the shadow of Shamrock Rovers' best talent.
The Ireland underage star is continuing to turn heads after a prolonged run in the Hoops first-team ranks this season.
Ferizaj, 17, made his first start in the FAI Cup win over Bangor Celtic and made his European debut away to Ferencvaros soon after.
He then started and impressed in the home win over the Hungarian giants before playing from the start in last week’s opening group stage clash with Djurgardens.
Ferizaj is highly regarded within the club but also outside it having attracted attention from all around Europe, even training at Roma on one occasion.
And Rovers team-mate Byrne feels his midfield rival can have a big career ahead of him if he stays grounded
The Ireland international said: “He’s doing really well, he’s a great kid. We try to help him as I play that position.
“He plays the deep role, he plays higher up as well. He can learn off (Graham) Burke, myself, Dylan Watts, players like us, international footballers.
“He’s a great kid. He comes in and works really hard. I’m sure he’ll have a bright future. He has the best manager and coaching staff in the country to help and guide him.”
Byrne added: “If he needs any advice from the players or coaching staff it's going to be there for him.
“He’s got a great chance but he’s still a young kid and has a lot of learning to do.
“Aidomo Emakhu and Gideon Tetteh have done really well too - it’s good times for the club and good times for them if they keep their heads down.”
