Alan Reynolds ready for his baptism of fire as Bohemians tackle Shamrock Rovers

The 49-year-old has taken the reins at Dalymount Park on a rolling contract this week, replacing Declan Devine.

While he departed his role as Waterford assistant to take the Phibsboro job, his future as Ireland U-21 assistant is still to be decided.

Bohs first team coach Derek Pender will stay on in the current backroom team with Reynolds looking to bring in another coach shortly.

The Tramore native was also a strong contender for the Bohs hot seat in 2022 and after spells as assistant with Derry City, Shelbourne and Dundalk, he admits he has been itching for a top job and that when Bohs came calling, the timing felt just right.

“I know we need to win games, that’s up to me to deliver that. I’m not going to stand here and say ‘we’re going to win the league’ or whatever. We’ll try and win everything. I said to the players that I just want winners in this dressing room,” said Reynolds, speaking ahead of Friday’s trip to the champions (kick-off 7.45, live on RTÉ2), a game in which he revealed James Talbot may return to the starting 11.

​“People are saying to me ‘it’s a nice dressing room’. I don’t want a nice dressing room, I want a ruthless dressing room that wants to win things. That’s where we’re going.”

Having played over 300 games during his career, Reynolds was asked for his memories of Bohs’ historic home ground.

“Hostile and intimidating,” he smiled, as his new side sit in seventh with seven points from their opening five games.

“But that’s what you want from your home fans – nobody wants to come to a place and have that hostility, tension and passion. I want that.

“Obviously there are lines you don’t cross with it, but I want people [opposition] to not like to come to Dalymount.

“The fans here are passionate and there’s a great energy. If we can put that all together, our performances and their role, I think we will be hard to stop.”

First tests don’t come any bigger than what awaits Reynolds tomorrow night as Bohs target a first league win in Tallaght in almost five years.

“The players are itching for it. I just think it’s a great night for Irish football. It’s a massive game in this country. Hopefully we put in a performance that the fans will be happy with.”

Having previously worked with John O’Shea at U-21 level, Reynolds also hailed his fellow Waterford man whose spell as Ireland interim boss ended in Tuesday’s defeat to Switzerland.

“He’s really good on the game, I can’t speak highly enough of him. I have great time for him. Whatever will be, will be with him. I know at some stage he’ll manage, where that is, I’m not sure.”