Tiernan Lynch insists he's still the right man for the Derry City job amid fans' frustrations

​As Derry returns to its temporary home at Celtic Park for a double-header against St Pat's on Friday night and Shelbourne on Monday, fans on social media have discussed boycotts and protests as the club languishes in sixth spot with only four wins from 17.

The City boss insists he holds 'no animosity' towards those fans calling for his dismissal and has embraced the challenge of turning around the club's fortunes.

He's been 'staring at the ceiling' visualising how he can bring success to Foyleside and remains 'very confident' he's got everything in place to take Derry to 'where we need to go'.

"I totally and utterly get the frustration - it's a big club," he began. "The only reason I came here was because of the size of the club. I think it has so much potential for success.

"Listen, I lie in my bed at night staring at the ceiling thinking about how I bring success here. And I will keep going until I do that or at least try and do that. Nothing has swayed or deviated me away from that.

"I take the criticism squarely on the chin. There's no animosity on my part. The fans know we need to give more. We need to grind out some results. It's our intention to do that."

When asked how he could persuade disgruntled fans that he's the right man to lead the club he answered, "I fully believe that. If I thought this was a thankless job or that there was no end to this or I couldn't see where this could potentially go, I wouldn't stay.

"There are plenty of other jobs in football that you could go and get with less hassle or less pressures or whatever.

"I love the challenge that's ahead of us here at this football club. I want nothing more than to give these fans what they deserve. I totally and utterly get their frustration and I will continue to do everything in my power to try and turn this around and come out the other side."

"There's lots of really good things going on. I'm very confident we have everything we need to get to where we need to go."

Had he received any assurances from the Brandywell board about his future?

"I have a very good relationship with Philip [O’Doherty]. We talk a lot. He's very hands on now. He’s probably exactly the same as me, he wants success. There's no doubt where we want to go. The job now is getting there."

Lynch views this weekend's double-header as an opportunity to change the narrative surrounding the Brandywell club and there's no doubting he still has the 'hunger' to steer the club out of troubled waters.

"Ideally you want to try and get a couple of wins under your belt before moving back to Brandywell and move this forward; build that momentum and get that confidence that goes with it. That's our intention. It always had been our intention.

"It's not the first time we've been in situations like this. I guarantee this won't be the last time we've been in situations like this. It's just the way football works but I can assure you I don't feel any differently.

"I'm as hungry today as I was the minute I walked in the doors. I will do everything in my powers and work every minute that God sends to try and make this football club successful."