HIS MANAGER might be hoping for something a little more cultured up front against PAOK tonight but when Karl Sheppard was faced with the prospect of a fine after somehow getting locked inside his own bedroom as the time for training approached on Tuesday, the former Galway United striker reckoned a battering ram provided the best route forward.

“The lock wouldn’t open and I had to break myself out as I had training in 10 minutes,” admitted the 20-year-old who was yesterday named as the Airtricity/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Player of the Month for October.

“It was the only way to do it. I probably would have got fined. There was a four by two in my room for some reason, I’m not sure why but I took advantage of it being there. And I got to training on time!”

The picture he subsequently posted on Twitter of the enormous hole in his door is stark evidence of his determination, an attribute that has helped the youth international make such an impact at Rovers where his goals, particularly at the start and end of the season, played a big part in the club’s successful title defence.

Two goals at the Carlisle Grounds, including a very late winner, in the early part of last month secured a win for his side that helped Rovers’ final push for another title and the Dubliner says the second of those was far more important to him than the one he got subsequently against this evening’s opponents in Greece.

“At the time I didn’t realise how much of an important goal it was,” he says, “but looking back on it now it was a turning point in our season. After that people in the team thought we’d win the league because of the momentum we had. We showed how good we were on the run in. The one in Salonika was a bonus for me but everyone was gutted leaving the stadium.

“PAOK are a good team, there is no hiding from that. But if we play our own style; if we play well and defend well we could get at least a point. I think there’s definitely something in this game for us to take.”