Rodney and Bigi: Our Leaders for Liechtenstein
After joining the Swifts for his second spell as manager in June 2023, Rodney McAree signed Gael Bigirimana just 94 days later on an initial loan deal, before making the relationship permanent the following year.
And what a decision it has turned out to be.
Both men have since signed contract extensions, keeping them at Stangmore for an additional three and two years respectively.
And both engraved themselves into the Dungannon history books this year after playing leading roles in delivering a maiden Irish Cup win and return to Europe after 18 years, which fans can look forward to this week in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, and on July 31st back in Solitude, Belfast.
Both have valuable experience in European competitions, with Bigi registering 14 appearances in the Europa League and Conference league to date, including a Europa League quarter-final against Benfica for Newcastle United in which he delivered an assist for Papiss Cisse, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
As a player, Rodney appeared three times in Europe: a two-legged tie for Glenavon against Kilmarnock, and the first leg of Dungannon’s European debut, a goalless draw in the Intertoto Cup against Icelandic side, Keflavik.
The game saw Rodney shown a red card, ruling him out of the second leg and matches against Lithuanian side Suduva the following year.
However, by missing these three games, Rodney has served his ban, meaning he is eligible to be present on the sideline against FC Vaduz tomorrow night.
Coming into this crucial tie, and the rest of the 25/26 season, Bigi is the new captain of the club.
He says: “It’s a blessing, it’s a privilege, and I’m thankful. I give thanks to God for the opportunity. I know being given such a role is not a light thing, it’s not something to be taken for granted. It creates an opportunity for me to be better in many, many areas.”
He adds: “It’s a huge responsibility, and it’s one I will come to with gratitude and thankfulness, and excitement, and see with this new role how I will continue to emerge as a captain of this beautiful club.”
Bigi takes over from Dean Curry, who retired after the Irish Cup final, leaving on an incredible high.
Dean, described by Rodney as “a warrior” and wonderful professional who will be greatly missed, has since become assistant manager at boyhood and former club Institute.
Matches such as the Charity Shield against Linfield, and pre-season friendlies against Warrenpoint, Loughgall, Rathfriland and Ballinamallard, have been valuable preparation for this week’s tie against Vaduz, although Rodney says the team aren’t preparing any differently.
“We do the same thing all the time, our preparation will remain the same. The only difference is that we are coming up against a team we don’t know an awful pile about, so we have had to do a lot of research.”
FC Vaduz are a full-time team playing in the Swiss second division, due to there being no league in Liechtenstein. They play their games in the Liechtenstein national stadium, the Rheinpark Stadion.
Victory in the Liechtenstein Cup is what has brought them into Europe almost every year.
Their best run to date was when they reached the group stages of the second ever UEFA Conference League, the year English side West Ham United clinched the title after beating Fiorentina.
They got there with an impressive win over Rapid Vienna of Austria, becoming the first side from Liechtenstein to reach the group stages of any European competition.
Rodney notes they “are a very good team… technically they are very good, with some very good individuals”.
He mentions players like forward Fabrizio Cavegn, attacking full-back Mischa Beeli, and new signing Stephan Seiler as among those to look out for.
He adds: “They have good experience through their team, they have added new players, a little bit of youth has come in which brings legs.”
On the decision to play the second leg of this year’s European tie at Solitude, the home of Cliftonville FC, Rodney said: “It suits how we try to play. The pitch is very similar to our own, the dimensions are very similar to our own, and it is somewhere where we played quite well last season, so it’s a pitch and a ground that suits how we want to do things.”
Bigi said: “For us, it’s turf that we’re accustomed to. Solitude, it’s the same as ours, and it makes sense for the club to make the home leg there. It will give us that extra edge, because we know the turf, that’s what we are used to.”
FC Vaduz made a similar trip last year when they played St Patrick’s Athletic in the second round of qualifying in the Conference League, with the Dublin side ending up winning the tie 5-3 on aggregate, after a 3-1 win at home and a 2-2 draw away.
This wasn’t their first experience of opposition from the League of Ireland. Vaduz faced off against Longford Town in 2004, with Vaduz winning 4-2 on aggregate. However, they have never played a NIFL side.
Rodney says: “It’s going to be very, very tough. They play a good brand of football, but so do we.
“I think ultimately what will happen with the tie will depend on what we do without the ball and how we set ourselves up, and if we’re disciplined and we’re well organised it gives us a little bit more of a chance.
“We’re going to be certainly up against it, but we all love a challenge, and we’ll do our very best when we go into the tie.”
Rodney has added several new players to the squad, including Mal Smith, Peter Maguire, Tiernan Kelly, and returning signings Sean McAllister and Darragh McBrien.
Departures this summer include Dean Curry (retirement), Ollie Crowe (loan), John McGovern, Grant Hutchinson, Padraig Lynch, and Aidan Hegarty.
In a major boost, Bigi has signed a contract extension and he described the sense of excitement ahead of this week’s game.
“We prepared as best as we can from the staff and the players, and thank God, we almost have the whole team in good condition, and those who have little niggles, God willing, hopefully they can overcome them as well and take part in, if not the first leg, they will be available for the second leg.
“The fans are excited, and we just want to keep going and enjoy the journey, the ride, and hopefully we can compete and come back with something to make the town, the club, the fans, each other as players to present the club, the town, and the football of Northern Ireland a performance that can gain respect, and not only respect, but we want to win, and go from there as positive as we can.”
The winners of this tie will face the winners of Ilves (Finland) or Dutch giants AZ Alkmaar in the third qualifying round on August 7th and 14th.
Up the Swifts!