Hoops face uphill task after tough night in Bulgaria

Shamrock Rovers have it all to do in Tallaght next week after a superb first half showing from Ludogorets put the Bulgarian side in the driving seat in their Champions League second round first leg tie in Razgrad.

A Pieros Sotiriou brace before the break had the Europa League group stage regulars in charge at the Huvepharma Arena.

Rovers were much more involved in the second half, but Igor Thiago's goal in injury time at the end of the game may have killed off any hope of a Hoops comeback in next Tuesday’s second leg.

Hoops coach Stephen Bradley made one switch from the starting eleven that played out a professional scoreless draw with Hibernians in their opening round, second leg tie in Malta last week, with Richie Towell replacing Aaron Greene.

From the first whistle, it was clear the Hoops were up against a much stronger outfit than anything they would regularly face at home.

Ludogorets 1-0 Shamrock Rovers - Pieros Sotiriou gets ahead of Sean Hoare to head the lead goal past a stranded Alan Mannus after 25 minutes