James Clarke: Shamrock Rovers clash a chance to fuel Derry's title ambitions

​Neither side has set the league alight during the opening stages of the new season and Clarke admits he's 'only getting going' in a Derry shirt since making the high profile switch from Dalymount Park in the close season.

The 25 year-old midfielder promised he's got a few more gears to churn through after a frustrating start to his Candy Stripes' career and what better way to announce himself than by helping Tiernan Lynch's side to a second win of the year in Dublin 24?

Clarke finished as Bohs' top scorer last term, scoring two of his eight goals against Stephen Bradley's side - his second a powerful header in a 2-1 loss at Tallaght last September. The Meath man relishes the big occasions and hopes he can open his Derry account soon.

"I enjoy these sorts of games," said the attacking midfielder. "I think Rovers is one of the biggest games in the league so I'm looking forward to it and hope it will be a good game.

"They have really good players and they've built on the squad they already have, so we know how good they are. We also know what an opportunity Friday is for us. We can really set a marker for ourselves for the season and lay down our ambition with a win."

It's Derry's first away trip of the league campaign after a mixed bag of results at home over the opening four weeks.

The Derry fans grew restless when the team was 2-0 down against Waterford last weekend before a thrilling late comeback. When Clarke was called ashore in the second half the decision was met by a chorus of boos but he admits he hasn't yet reached the levels he would like.

"Yeah, to be honest, I'm only getting going. I definitely have another level or two to go up. I don't think I've really started here yet. Every game I've worked hard and been involved in it but definitely the quality I can bring to this club, I haven't really gotten started yet.

"It's early days. It's a long season and I won't be getting too flustered. There's a long way to go and I'm confident that hopefully soon I'll start producing some goals, assists and performances.

"It's obviously been a little bit frustrating because you want to win every game. I suppose if you looked at the first four maybe you would think you would be doing better.

"At the same time, we said it before the season as well, it is a new squad. There's five or six new starters every game and boys who haven't played together and you're playing against well drilled teams. Every team in the league is very good.

"There's no easy game in the league. I know that can be cliche at times but it really is true. It has been true in the league this year and again this year."

Clarke views the opening few weeks as the 'building blocks' of the season but knows Derry must start clicking soon.

"So seven points from 12 isn't amazing but it's something we have behind us now and something we can build on.

"Obviously, this isn't the standard we're looking to set for the rest of the year but hopefully we can look back at those first four weeks as the building blocks of the season.

"Hopefully we can improve on that. We won't be too down about it at the same time."

Derry can take confidence from January's President's Cup win over Rovers in Tallaght when Clarke made his competitive debut and he sees no reason why the Foylesiders should fear coming up against last year's double winners.

"We can take confidence from it. Obviously the league is completely different, but at the same time, we said it then: it was an opportunity to lay down a marker for the season and build confidence going into the season. The cup itself means nothing really but we have a good performance in the bank.

"We know we've beaten them in Tallaght once so we can do it twice; we can do it three times. At the same time we know you have to turn up on the day and do it.

"When you look at the squad we've got, there should be no reason to have any sort of inferiority complex against Rovers but it's about proving it on the pitch."