Predators circling but Rovers retain belief that they can clip Bulgarian wings

Fortuna the eagle may favour Ludogorets but Rovers skipper Finn believes fortune can favour his brave visitors in crucial away first leg 

Not taking it lying down:Chris McCann during a Shamrock Rovers training session at Huvepharma Arena in Razgrad, Bulgaria. Pic:Alex Nicodim/Sportsfile

Shamrock Rovers might have to duck to avoid Ludogorets’ real-life mascot of an eagle circling the Huvepharma Arena tonight but the visitors have a swoop of their own in mind.

Undoubtedly, the Irish champions are in bonus territory – or the realm of a free hit, as striker Rory Gaffney confessed last week – but that doesn’t suppress their appetite for a shock.