John Ross Wilson has revealed a sibling rivalry at Shelbourne that could be the club’s goal-den ticket to success.
He is engaged in a friendly battle with brother Tyreke (23) to see who can score more often this season for the Reds.
The pair have teamed up together at Tolka Park this season following younger brother Tyreke’s move from Bohemians.
A dead-ball specialist, he has yet to hit the target for his new club, while John Ross opened his account for the year in last Monday’s 2-1 defeat to Dundalk.
“We have a little bet going on, me and Tyreke, to see who gets more goals,” said Wilson (24).
“It’s all friendly, but it’s good and competitive. You want to thrive with your brother. We are going to war every Friday night together.”
Adding more goals to his game is something that JR is focused on this season.
The right-wing-back looked like a natural last Monday at Oriel Park when he calmly rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into an empty net.
“It was great to get the goal,” he said. “I need to add that to my game and I’m working really hard on it.
“The staff here are onto me to get forward more and I know I need to add more goals to my game.
“I’ve never really been a goalscorer. I used to play as a holding midfielder in schoolboy football and I only started playing full-back when I went into Under-19s football.
“I was always more about keeping the ball out of the net, but as a wing-back I need to get forward a lot more.
“Now it’s about mixing up my game and I’m really enjoying it.
“We’re playing against the best in the country and I’m thriving on it. I’m being given a licence to go up and join in the attack”
“The gaffer (Damien Duff) is onto me to improve all the time at the top end of the pitch and I’m taking all the info he is giving me onboard.
“He has put his faith in me and put me in the team, so I’m hoping I can repay him week in, week out.”
Born and raised in Ringsend, tonight’s derby means a lot to the Wilson brothers - and to dad Karl Wilson, who also lined out for Shelbourne.
Both Shels and Shamrock Rovers were founded in Ringsend and lifelong Reds fan JR said: “I’m feeling really good, really fit and I’m really looking forward to the game.
“I was born in Ringsend and I’m still down there regularly, this is obviously the Ringsend derby, it’s one of my favourite games.
“My dad played for Shels and that’s who I supported in the League of Ireland. It’s a great club with a really good fan base. I love playing in Tolka.
“Last Friday (against Bohs) was one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played in at Tolka, the fans were brilliant. Even the Bohs fans created a good atmosphere.
“We want to make Tolka a fortress and with Rovers coming we want to keep the positive results going.”
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