The 2-1 victory over the Welsh champions saw the Hoops make it seven points from the opening three games, as the €400,000 earned from the home win took their European pot for 2024 to almost €5m, although that figure is likely to rise to around €6m courtesy of future bonuses and market share payments.
The Rovers boss feels seven points is all but enough to secure a February play-off for the last 16 but challenged his players to aim higher again, with the top eight qualifying automatically.
“Obviously it was a big disappointment for them on Friday. To move on so quickly and come and perform like they did was brilliant,” said Bradley after the Tallaght victory.
“I said up in Larne that our aim was not to get seven points, just pat each other on the back and say ‘job done.’ That was never the aim.
“Why limit our expectations and what we want from each other? We are the ones who have brought up the standards in this country for a long time and the players continue to do that.
“They’ve done something that has never been done before (seven points from a group/league phase), but we want to keep going. We’ve created history, now can we go and push on and raise the bar again?
“I think it (seven points) is 97pc (sure) for the play-offs, but we want to go and qualify automatically. I hope it’s enough but if it’s not, it’s not. We have three games to go and get points on the board and we’ll do everything we can to try and make that happen.
“We know we’ll be against good teams but we have played against top teams before so the aim will be can we get points and qualify automatically.
“It’s easy for me and the staff to move on (from Friday) because we are constantly assessing where we are and where it’s gone wrong and what’s gone on. But the players are in it, they give everything to every moment on the pitch, so that takes a lot out of you mentally and physically.
“So that was the part tonight where you are a little bit worried. You are not worried if they’ll show up, these players always show up. It’s just, are they in tune mentally and physically? I thought they were brilliant in that regard, I thought they showed real character, real leadership and experience that we gained throughout the years. That came to the fore.”
The club’s Player of the Year Dylan Watts proved the matchwinner, finding the net after Johnny Kenny’s leveller for his fifth goal in seven games. On the day the Ireland squad was announced by Heimir Hallgrimsson, Bradley feels the midfielder should be in the conversation for a call-up.
“I’ve no doubt that Dylan has a really high football IQ,” added Bradley, who confirmed he’d received no contact from the Irish set-up for the November squad.
“This year is the fittest he’s been and he’s mentally matured. He’s respected in all aspects of being a central midfielder. He wouldn’t look out of place in any international squad.”
Bradley also hailed his side after they became the first Irish team to achieve seven points in a group stage/league phase campaign.
“We’ve created history tonight. Regardless of what people’s opinions are of us as a team, us a club, me as a manager, you can’t rewrite the history books, as much as some people might want to,” he added.
“You can’t do it and these players have created history. Hopefully more League of Ireland teams come after us and do the same, but these are the first group to do it which is special. It’s given us a great platform and let’s attack the next games to see where it takes us.”
With Rovers not in competitive action until a trip to Rapid Vienna on November 28, Bradley’s players will be given time to switch off before they face a pair of of friendlies against HJK Helsinki to prepare for the final three Group Phase games, with a home date against Borac to come next month before the campaign concludes against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Christmas week.
“It’s about understanding where we are right now and what we are doing, we will never ever get it again, we will never get these moments again,” added Bradley.
“We will never get this group again because things change and people move. They are a special group. We’re a special group together so you have to cherish these moments. You have to cherish the good times and the bad times as well because they are the ones that make you stronger.
“They are a special group of men and have driven the standards for a long time. Not just one year, I think we have been competing for the league for six or seven years, that takes a lot and these players have done that. What I love about them is that it’s always on to the next challenge, that has to be our mentality going forward.”
