Gillingham captain Stuart O’Keefe is well aware of the club’s rivalry with Swindon Town and hopes the big match atmosphere will give them a boost.

The Gills and Swindon have long been rivals, since two bad tempered matches in the 1978/79 season led to player scuffles that were eventually argued over in court. It’s left bad feelings between the two sets of supporters ever since.

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O’Keefe played the last time the sides met, the Gills winning 3-1 at Swindon in March 2021. That game was played behind closed doors, however, during the Covid pandemic. The skipper and the players were given the lowdown on the rivalry by the manager before the latest instalment, which comes up later today (Saturday, 3pm).

O’Keefe said: “The gaffer has mentioned it, we are fully aware of what this game means, it is a derby, not geographically, but a derby for other reasons.

“We need to treat it like a proper derby and that will help us, it will help galvanise the group and the stadium, the fans, and hopefully come out on top, because it would be a needed win, we need to get up and running.

“Derbies create atmospheres and put a little bit extra on the game, with the position we are in, that might help us when we step over that white line, with that edge to it, it might make us a bit sharper and more aggressive and might help us get on the front foot and get a better result.

“We know how much this game means to the supporters, we need to make sure we put it out on the pitch and do them justice. As players we want to put in the best performance we can, to entertain and give the crowd something back, something to cheer.”

The Gills are badly in need of a lift, without a goal in their last six games and sitting 21st in League 2.

Swindon haven’t made a great start either, however, under former Gills player Scott Lindsey. He was promoted to first team boss in the summer but they have just one win from six league games, albeit drawing four of them.

On Gills' own form, O’Keefe said: “In the games we have played, not many teams have out-played us, we have been lacking in either boxes, that is where we have struggled, there is no fear in this league.

“We need it to click, it needs to happen and we need points on the board, confidence back, we need momentum and to start climbing the table because it is not good enough where we are at the moment.

“Hopefully we can change the mood and the atmosphere, get a positive result and take that forward into the remaining games.”

O’Keefe was left out on Wednesday to rest. He had a minor operation to his knee in the summer and the EFL Trophy match at Charlton was an ideal time for a breather.

“I felt something after the pre-season game against Portsmouth,” said O’Keefe, when asked about the injury. “My knee swelled up, there was aggravation, it needed cleaning up, maybe from a bit of wear and tear.

“It set me back a couple of weeks, I came back in, and Wednesday was a chance for the gaffer to take me out of the firing line, rest the knee, let it settle but I am fully fit, no issues.”

The Gills have signed Robbie McKenzie and Portsmouth loan defender Haji Mnoga but it’s not clear whether either deal has gone through in time for Saturday’s match.

Harris did admit the weekend might come too soon for McKenzie anyway, as he has not played any minutes this season. “It might be a little reckless to include him this weekend,” said the manager. Mnoga has at least played a handful of matches and been in full training with Pompey before his Gills move.

Jordan Green (hip) was a doubt but he was on the grass Friday. He will be given until midday to see where his fitness levels are and what part, if any, he could play against Swindon.

Speaking about their opponents, Harris said: “They are a possession-based team, similar to last year, new manager, new lads, but Scott was there last year, with Ben (Garner). They want to control the football, want to pass the ball, they have some ability from what I have seen already.

“They have some good footballers and we need to make sure we are competitive, that the shape is better than it was (against Charlton on Wednesday), that’s for sure.”

O’Keefe added: “They have some talented boys, they play some nice football, but there are definitely areas we can exploit. There is nothing to fear, we know what we need to do.”