Roberto Lopes is expecting “a lot of stick” from the Bohemians fans who used to adore him.
He spoke exclusively to Jamie Moore on 98FM’s League of Ireland Podcast this week.
‘Pico’ joined Bohemians as a 17 year old from Belvedere back in 2010.
He captained the club in the 2016 League of Ireland season having been voted as the ‘Fans Played Of The Year’ the season before.
The midfielder scored the winner for Bohs against Rovers in their final home game of last season.
The 24 year old signed for their bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers in November 2016.
The last player to cross that divide was Luke Byrne in 2014.
His move from the Gypsies to the Hoops did not go down well with his old fans.
One game into his new Shamrock Rovers career, Lopes will face his old friends from Dalymount this Friday night and says he could need ear plugs to drown out the noise of the Bohs fans.
“I’m blessed that we are playing at home. It would have been a harsh reception going back to Dalymount to face them for the first time since joining Rovers.”
“I’m starting to get the butterflies to be honest, the same ones I’d get if I was playing for Bohs against Rovers. These Dublin derbies are massive games, I’m going to try and focus on my job on the pitch and hopefully we’ll win the game.”
LISTEN to Roberto’s exclusive 20 minute interview with Jamie Moore on our League of Ireland Podcast this week, by clicking play on the link below.
Kick off in Tallaght Stadium is a 7.30pm.
We’ll have live updates on 98FM.
