This was a businesslike win for Shamrock Rovers to kick off a fortnight that will mean so much for the club’s short- and long-term future.

With no league game on the agenda next weekend, the mission for this match in Drogheda was to restore their three-point lead at the top of the League of Ireland table and then turn full focus to their Europa Conference League play-off with Flora Tallinn. The victory was secured without any injuries and, while the performance was far from flawless, a rotated team did what was necessary.

There’s almost €3m at stake in the two-legged tie with the Estonian champions and, understandably enough, Rovers have made every effort to ensure that defender Liam Scales plays a full part in the tie before departing ahead of the close of the UK transfer window.

Stephen Bradley confirmed afterwards that Scales is travelling to Tallinn for Thursday’s away leg and he seems reasonably confident the versatile left sided 23-year-old will be available for the return in Tallaght seven days later.

It’s understood that Scales is preparing to join Celtic with the clubs agreed on a fee north of €500,000 but Bradley did not mention the Scottish Hoops by name.

However, his description of interaction between clubs suggested that Rovers are just dealing with one party as opposed to a host of suitors.

There’s a degree of speculation in reaching the conclusion that Dermot Desmond’s stake in both clubs made it less likely that Celtic would put pressure on the Irish club to do a deal before the biggest games of the season.

There’s also the small matter of a cup tie with arch rivals Bohemians on August 29 that could be fitted in as an extra special farewell but Bradley was coy when pressed on specifics.

Whatever the arrangement, it appears the parties are all on the same page.

“We’ve all spoken openly from the start,” said Bradley. “There’s his thinking and our thinking; both clubs have dealt with it really well.

“He’ll definitely be involved in the first one (Flora Tallinn first leg) and hopefully the second. I’m not sure where Liam’s end is at. 

“Our stuff is tied up. I’d imagine with the window closing at the end of the month, it’s getting there. If not after Tallinn, it will definitely be soon.

“We did things at our end. Liam has a decision to make and I’m pretty sure where his mind is. He’s been brilliant, he’s been dealing with this background for a while and you wouldn’t think it looking at him. He’s played every minute.”

Scales was one of five players retained from the team that did the business against Teuta Dorres on Thursday with the strength of the Rovers squad coming to the fore now their injury list has eased.

Graham Burke started both legs against the Albanians on the bench as he’s managing a quad problem with Rovers easing him back in by using him in the league games.

The Irish international looks to be nearing full fitness now and he was instrumental in breaking down a Drogheda side that set out on a containment mission in the hope they could then spring their better attacking players late on.

Alas, they were cut open nine minutes after the interval with Burke finding the space in the box to tee up Aaron Greene. Drogheda applied pressure afterwards without ever really hurting the champions.

“Graham is a top player and he’s ready to go now,” said Bradley, who has respect for Flora’s attacking prowess. But his group may just be peaking at the right time.

Drogheda Utd – Odumosu, Redmond (Murray 64), O’Reilly, Massey (Corcoran 80); Browne, Phillips, Deegan (Heeney 80), Hyland, Kane; Clarke (Doyle 56); Adeyemo (Doyle 56).

Shamrock Rovers – Mannus, Hoare, Lopes, Scales; Gannon, Towell (O’Neill 77), McCann, Kavanagh; Burke (Watts 68), Mandroiu (Gaffney 70); Greene.

Ref – Ray Matthews