Michael O'Neill has paid tribute to Shamrock Rovers fans ahead of Friday's historic opening of the Tallaght Stadium.

The new Hoops boss is eagerly anticipating leading the club into their new home. Having seen the size of the crowd Rovers bring to away matches, the former Northern Ireland international is looking forward to a great atmosphere on Friday night when Sligo Rovers provide the first ever opposition at Tallaght.

Almost 1,500 Rovers fans visited the Carlisle Grounds for last weekend's opening match against Bray Wanderers, something which showed the new manager the potential of the club.

“The turnout was fantastic for an away game,” he says. ”But that comes with the territory at Shamrock Rovers: a huge following, with a huge passion for the club.

“I don’t think it effected any of the players, but the expectation level’s high and for some of them this is a new experience, but at this club they’re going to have to learn to deal with that.”

The Hoops had to settle for a scoreless draw with Bray, but O'Neill takes positives from the result.

“The game was a bit frantic at times,” he said. “It never let up in tempo, and I would’ve liked to have seen us get the ball down and pass it a little bit better.

“But given how Bray played, we had to make sure we matched the tempo of the game. They were physical – but we stood up to that, and that was a pleasing aspect.

"They were very organised and we knew that would be the case. They were hungry and had a great desire to play. It was pleasing that we weren't found wanting in that area.

“I thought Stephen Rice was magnificent for us in the middle of the field - and Shane Robinson as well. Sean Webb coming in at centre-half was very good as well - so there were a lot of plusses.

“We were disappointed that we didn't start the season with a win, and with a bit more quality in the final third we would've got the three points. But it wasn't to be.

 “The focus is to try and get a bit more fluidity in the middle to front,” he feels. “We’ve brought new players into the club – Gary Twigg’s just arrived, as has Stephen Bradley – so that’s not going to happen overnight."