Danny Mandroiu aims to go on a Shamrock Rovers scoring spree and has arch enemies Bohemians in his sights.
The Hoops ace scored the winner in Monday’s 1-0 bank holiday win over Dundalk as the champions made it four wins in a row.
They reduced Derry City’s lead at the top from six points to one, and having seen off St Pat’s and the Lilywhites, close out a big week with a trip to the Gypsies on Friday.
Mandroiu knows he will receive special attention from the Bohs fans when he faces his old club - but wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I love playing in those derby games,” he said. “Anything can happen in a derby, your form doesn't always matter.
“It's about who has the right mindset going into the game and that's usually enough to win it.”
Bohs will be fired up after smashing Shelbourne 4-1 at Tolka Park on Monday and Mandroiu said: “Everyone will be talking about this game now.
“It's the biggest game in Ireland and the atmosphere is crazy. The tension rises during the week and I can’t wait for it.
“You need to put the head down and prepare right and not lose focus, but you have to enjoy these games.
“That's what football is about. You need to embrace these moments as they don't come along that often and will soon be gone.”
Mandroiu’s winner on Monday was only his second goal of the campaign having also scored on the opening night of the season against UCD.
Last season, he was the second highest scorer in the Premier Division with 15 goals behind ex-Gypsies ace Georgie Kelly, who bagged 21.
Hoops boss Stephen Bradley feels Mandroiu is finally back to his best and the player himself feels a scoring run is on the cards.
“I think this will kick me on,” said the attack-minded midfielder who can also play up front. Once I find momentum, it usually means I score goals so hopefully that can continue.
“But I don't think I'm any less confident if I'm going through a period where I'm not scoring. I love scoring and if I keep scoring, I'm going to be extra confident. The goals will come, as the gaffer always says to me.
“We're only 11 games into the season, so I wasn't too worried about not scoring. I just want to perform for the team and if goals come along with that, I'll be delighted.
“We're getting better with every game and we'll only continue to get better throughout the season. It was a bit of a slow start but we're getting there now.”
And Mandroiu - who was in Stephen Kenny’s Ireland squad last summer - has also paid tribute to team-mate Jack Byrne.
The Ireland international provided a sublime assist for his goal against Dundalk, splitting the Lilywhites defence.
Mandroiu added: “It was a peach and he’s been doing it all season and I just couldn't get on the end of them but finally it came off.
“It's football - sometimes you don't always get the right pass, or you don't time your own run right but luckily it all came off today.
“We naturally understand each other's game but we do discuss it building up to matches. When he's on the ball, I run and he finds me.
“It's the same with Dylan Watts, he gets his head up and I just start running and they find me. They are great passers of the ball.
“But you can't be predictable as you'll get found out pretty quickly and lose that bit that you bring to the team. You have to mix your game up.
“You can't always play the through ball, you have to wait, wait, wait sometimes but finally it came off on Monday because he tried it a few times.”
