Shamrock Rovers ace Dan Cleary says he is fuelled by proving people wrong - including his own manager.
With Roberto Lopes out injured, the centre-back has made a seamless transition into the Hoops team following his recent move from St Johnstone.
And it is third time lucky for Cleary at Rovers as Stephen Bradley passed up one opportunity to sign him before missing out on another last Christmas.
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Bradley spoke recently about small doubts he had about Cleary when he decided against signing him, before the defender went on to have a decorated spell at Dundalk.
And when he scored for the Lilywhites against Rovers in Tallaght, Cleary tweeted ‘Doubt Me Now’.
Ahead of Thursday's Conference League group stage opener, Cleary said: “That’s football, you can’t take anything personally in football.
“I was young at the time, 20 or 21, when I did that. It was a bit of a laugh and a joke at the time.
“I don’t take it too seriously and I don’t think Stephen does either. I’m delighted to be here. He put a lot of belief in me and I’m here to pay him back.”
Cleary insists his pride wasn’t dented by the initial Rovers snub and continued: “No, I like a challenge in football, I like proving people wrong. I think that’s what every player should do.
“You’re going to get times in your career where someone doesn’t fancy you or a manager doesn’t really fancy you at the time but you just have to get your head down and work hard.
“That’s what I did and that’s how I was so successful at Dundalk.”
During his time at Oriel Park, the former Liverpool youth played in the Europa League group stages and pitted his wits against Arsenal, Molde and Rapid Vienna - but Dundalk lost all six.
He knows what is needed if Rovers are to get up and running in this group and achieve their goal of progressing to the knockout stages.
Asked where the step up in level comes into play most, Cleary said: “Every aspect. When you're on top you have to punish them and if you don't take your chances, they will hurt you.
“It just takes a split second of a lack of concentration and the ball is in the back of your net.
"If I was leading in a game with Dundalk in the group stages, 10 minutes later you could be behind.”
Dundalk were leading against Molde at home but lost the game and twice had the lead away to Rapid Vienna before falling to the same fate.
Cleary added: “It's the best football in Europe - the group stages of any European competition and it's going to be difficult when you look at the teams in it.
“Mentally we have to be switched on. If you take a 10 minute rest, the game could be over. We will get tough games but we’re well up for it.”
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