Rovers need skipper Lopes and Co on A game to salvage Champions League campaign

Maltese champions Floriana rock up to Tallaght protecting a two-goal first leg cushion, placing the onus on the Hoops to take the initiative in this season’s European home debut (Tuesday, 8pm)

Roberto Lopes returns to the Rovers squad after a fantastic World Cup display. Pic: Tom O'Hanlon/Inpho

Shamrock Rovers will need their returning skipper Pico Lopes and his teammates on their A game to salvage their Champions League campaign on Tuesday night (8pm).

Maltese champions Floriana rock up to Tallaght protecting a two-goal first leg cushion, placing the onus on the Hoops to take the initiative in this season’s European home debut.

A trapdoor to the Conference League awaits should they fail to overturn the deficit but the easier route is through the Champions path they earned by reclaiming the title from Shelbourne last year.

It just so happens that their return leg clashes with the World Cup semi-final of France against Spain, necessitating a promotional push by the club around the locality in pursuit of a crowd near their 10,547 capacity.

A boisterous crowd will help but all the experience of a side with three European league phases over the last four seasons will be required to set up a second round meeting with either FC Ararat-Armenia or Riga FC.

Five years ago, they were unable to recover from a similar plight against Slovan Bratislava but Floriana aren’t at that level. Last week’s tie was open enough to prove they are capable of completing the turnaround.

“We weren’t ruthless enough in both boxes so must be in this second leg to progress,” said Bradley, who will be missing Corkman Matt Healy following his impetuous sending-off when only a goal separated the teams on the Centenary Stadium all-weather pitch.

“We’ve been here before. It’s about just being us. It’s about being us.

“It’s not a case of needing to score in the first five minutes because it only takes a second to score a goal.

“This task is not beyond us, for sure.

“We have experience, knowhow and Pico’s back in the group after his World Cup heroics with Cape Verde, which is great.

“Once we cut out the sloppiness and reach our levels, the rest will look after itself.”