Ludogorets Razgrad thought they’d have to get a Ferry Across (from) The Mersey to get to tonight’s Champions League clash with Shamrock Rovers.
However, the Bulgarian champions somehow sourced a charter to take them to Dublin - a week after the Hoops, for all their efforts, failed to get a direct flight to the first-leg.
Rovers weren’t helped last week by their travel arrangements, which saw the group divided between commercial flights - which included connections and long coach journeys.
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“I think it was a factor, though it’s not an excuse,” said Bradley, reflecting on the 3-0 defeat in Razgrad. “I definitely feel it wasn’t ideal.
“It’s amazing that we couldn’t get a charter out of Dublin but they can get a charter into Dublin. Somehow there was space.
“I don’t know who answers on that one or how that’s possible.
“At one stage they were looking at having to fly into Liverpool and get a boat.
“They’ve somehow managed to fly into Dublin which is interesting.”
He added: There were a lot of people trying to get us a charter from Dublin. But we were told that it wasn’t available, not just from Dublin but from any place in Ireland.
“Then, a week later, they magically find a spot. That's interesting.
“You would think that you’d do anything possible to help our own, really. Especially considering it’s such a big game.
“It’s not an excuse, but it definitely needs to be looked at.”
Bradley admits Shamrock Rovers need a miracle in Tallaght tonight to turn around their Champions League tie with Ludogorets Razgrad.
However, the Hoops supremo isn’t ruling it out.
“Anything is possible, especially if you score early and score first,” he declared.
“Anything is possible. But you have to be realistic and understand what we are up against as well.
“Will we go to win the game? Of course we will.
“But, as I said, the third goal over there really hurt us.
“Because you know that they are such a dangerous side they are going to get a chance in the game.
“Like I said, if you score the first goal you just don’t know.”
He added: “When you look at their record they score goals and they don’t concede many.
“So it will take an incredible performance to overturn it.
“But our aim has to be to just go and win the game and see where it takes it.”
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