'We've got a job to do" - Ruaidhri Higgins has full belief in Derry City players

​The City boss knows his team can't afford to rely on any favours from elsewhere or slip-ups from their title rivals but he believes the Brandywell outfit can defy doubters and put together a run of three straight wins for just the second time in the season.

It would be the perfect time to hit form in the league with the destiny of the title in their own hands going into tonight's clash with Dundalk at Oriel Park before travelling to St Patrick's Athletic and hosting Shelbourne on the final day.

"The last couple of games in terms of results haven't gone according to plan but we're still in a strong position and we need to finish the season really strong for everybody that cares deeply about the club," said Higgins.

“To be honest, you shouldn't really look at the fixtures because of the season that's in it, but I do believe that we'll need nine points, and listen, you never know with these things, but as it stands that's what I believe.

"I think I analyse games really honestly after matches and that the first half showing the other night was way, way, way below par and not at the standards that's required to play for Derry City Football Club.

“Momentum's not with us but 12 days ago we got ourselves into a cup final going away to Dalymount and putting in a real good display, and we've had two draws since that.

“So momentum's not with us, but we'll still fight and we'll keep fighting, and again we'll stick together in our dressing room and keep battling on and see what we can come up with. "I've no doubt between now and the end of the season we can win some big games.

"You can't switch form on and off, but you can't switch belief on and off either, and I totally believe in the players, totally believe in them. They're really, really good people.

"I know them better than anyone from the outside looking in, so I know what sort of lads we've got, even though they've been questioned at times, I know what sort of lads we've got, and we've got really good people who genuinely care."

Does he still believe his team have a chance to end the year with two pieces of silverware in the Brandywell trophy cabinet? “Of course I do. We're in a cup final and we're two points off the top of the league with three games to go, so of course I do. I truly believe that we can win the remaining fixtures.”

Higgins was part of Dundalk's 2014 league winning squad and was assistant manager in 2019 when helping guide the Lilywhites to their 14th top flight championship.

He's got a special affiliation with the Co. Louth club and he's braced for a battle as Jon Daly's men attempt to prolong their fight against the drop.

"No fixture in this league is easy, and Friday night certainly won't be. If you look at their team, they've got lads who have won league titles right throughout it, cups, played in group stages of European competitions, so we need to improve on the other night without a doubt.

"We need to go down there and be strong and be tough and do the basics of the game really well if we're going to try and win it.”

"It's a really tough venue. You look at some of the results they've had at Oriel this year and we know that they're fighting for their lives down there. They'll have real pride and try to stay up for their supporters as well, so we know what we're going to face on Friday and we'll have to be ready for it.

"Obviously I spent a long time at Dundalk as a player and coach, but there are real good people down there, people that back their club and really good people and obviously you don't want to see them go down, but we have a job to do, we have our own interests to look after and that's the forefront of my concerns at the minute.”