Brandon Miele: 'It's a big ask to catch Dundalk - but our target is to win the league.'

Brandon Miele is targeting silverware at Shamrock Rovers next season following an injury-blighted season.

The Ireland under-21 international began the season in fine form, scoring four in eight games from midfield, including a brace in the 4-0 derby win over Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

Yet he managed just two more in the remainder of the campaign as the team laboured under former manager Pat Fenlon and Miele was dogged by niggling injuries.

Miele looked on the way back to his best in the scoreless draw with Bray Wanderers on Friday night, yet goals remain elusive for the Hoops and it's something they'll look to address in the off-season.

“That's something we need to work on when we come back next year,” Miele told Extratime.ie.

“That's the thing we need to work on next year with whoever gets brought in players-wise, being more relaxed and more composed and scoring more goals, being more clever around the box.

“We've a lot of time to come back and work on that.”

The Tallaght man has spent two seasons with the Hoops since returning to Ireland after failing to make a breakthrough at Newcastle United.

And it's a source of frustration for him that he's yet to get his hands on a trophy in green and white while Dundalk dominate domestic honours.

“The target is to win the league and win cups. It's a big challenge, but obviously we need hungry lads in, people who want to win and who want to win things.

“Hopefully we can get lads in and do it.

“Obviously what Dundak have done now and the money they've won, they're going to buy whoever they can. They're miles ahead of everyone as it is.

“To catch them is obviously a big thing – it's a big ask to catch them – but we'll try our best and do what we can.

“That's the main thing next year – just improve and learn as a group. And have a will to want to learn as well.”

Thought still only 22 years old, the clearout of senior pros and the emergence of younger talent means Miele is now one of the more experienced heads in the Rovers dressing room.

And it's a responsibility he is more than willing to take up.

“I'm looking at the young lads and trying to get them through if they need guidance.

“We're all here, all the senior lads, we're here to be a model for them and get them to work hard and for them to get us to work hard.

“If we're slacking, they think it's alright to do that, so we need to work just as hard as them.”

Miele signed a contract extension during the summer that will keep him in Tallaght until the end of 2017.

That came amid interest from Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny, and Miele admits he could be tempted should an offer of football at a higher level at home or abroad materialise.

“You know, people say things and stuff, and you can see what happens. But here, and I'm happy here, but whatever happens happens. I am really happy here at Rovers.

“My goal is to be the best that I can be and to keep improving and go as far in football as I can. I'm going to come back, hopefully flying next year and see what I can do.”