SHAMROCK ROVERS boss Michael O'Neill will be looking for a solid start when his side host FC Flora of Estonia in their opening Champions League fixture on Tuesday.

Karl Sheppard remains out of the Hoops squad with an ankle injury, while all other players are fit and available for selection.

O’Neill said: “The players are very much looking forward to the game, as is everyone at the club. Playing in Europe is very important to every Airtricity League club, and that’s obviously the case for us too.

“I wasn’t able to make it out to Tallinn, but we have looked at them and done our research. We expect it to be a stiff test for us, but we do feel that we are capable of progressing through the tie, if we play to our abilities.”

After the excitment of their pairing with Italian giants Juventus last summer, this tie affords Rovers fans the chance of dreaming of a first Champions League victory since the new format of the competition was introduced.

The Hoops were the first Irish club to play in the old European Cup having played the famous Busby Babes of Manchester United in 1957.

Rovers drew 1-1 with Bnei Yahuda and lost 2-0 at home to Juventus in the Europa League last year so are bidding to secure their first European victory at their new home ground.