Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely has revealed that the Eircom League champions will adopt a 'safety first' policy in Wednesday's Champions League clash against Macedonian champions Sloga Jugomagnat.

With temperatures expected to be in the high Nineties, Keely has ruled out a high octane attacking strategy and instead will go with five across midfield and just one striker, 30-year-old Stephen Geoghegan.

Two years ago, Shelbourne shocked mighty Glasgow Rangers by streaking into a 3-0 lead at Prenton Park -only to lose 5-3 because of defensive frailties. This time Shelbourne will set out their defensive stall from the start.

Shels arrived in Skopje on Saturday night after a gruelling 15-hour journey from Dublin.

But Keely said: "Now we have three full days to acclimatise and the conditions will be the same for Sloga as for us."

Keely's main worry is centre back Pat Scully, with new signing Robert Raeside standing by.

If Scully fails to make it, Geoghegan will be handed the captain's armband - and he will be hoping for more success than on his last visit to Skopje. The 30-year-old was in the Irish squad for the World Cup qualifier against Macedonia in 1997, which Ireland lost 3-2 after taking an early lead through Alan McLoughlin.