HOOPS WILL FIGHT LIKE SPARTANS

Finn backs Rovers to draw on Clara experience & take Europe by storm

- By MARK McCADDEN

SHAMROCK Rovers' “benchmark” performance away to Portuguese side Santa Clara proves the Hoops can repeat last year’s European heroics - despite Stephen Bradley's men landing a tougher draw.

Rovers have been paired with some formidable opponents, including Thursday's hosts Sparta Prague.

They are away to AEK Athens and at home to Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, while they also face opposition from Slovenia (Celje, home), Iceland (Breidablik, away) and Malta (Hamrun Spartans, home).

However, former Hoops midfielder Ronan Finn (right) believes the win away to Santa Clara in the playoff round is evidence of the club's evolution on the European stage.

Last season Rovers set a high bar by finishing 10th in the league phase table, missing out on an automatic last-16 spot first on goal difference, and then on penalties in their playoff against Molde.

Finn had two spells with Rovers and played in two group stage campaigns with the Hoops - in the 2011 Europa League and 2022 Conference League, as well as another Europa League campaign with Dundalk in 2016.

He said: “I think Rovers last year, I'm not saying they got a bit of luck, but I think we all would agree it was a good draw for them.