Lopes 'living out a dream' at World Cup - Grace

The Republic of Ireland may have missed out on qualification for this year's World Cup, but Shamrock Rovers centre-back Lee Grace still has a vested interest in the tournament.

The 33-year-old will be cheering on Cape Verde in their first appearance at the finals as his centre-back partner at Rovers and friend Roberto 'Pico' Lopes will be featuring for the second smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup.

Lopes and Grace joined the League of Ireland side around the same time, with the former arriving from Bohemians in November 2016 and the latter in August 2017 from Galway United.

They have since gone on to forge a solid defensive partnership during a spell of sustained success for the Dublin club, winning five Premier Division titles and two FAI Cups as well as enjoying two campaigns in the Uefa Conference League.

It has been quite the journey for the two who have "been together the bones of nearly 10 years" and Grace is relishing seeing the Rovers captain play on the biggest stage after witnessing his rise to this point.

"He's an absolutely brilliant player. He's a leader, he was always a leader before he was named captain of the club. He sets the standard the way he trains, gives his life to football, so to see him get the rewards is very pleasing for all of us," Grace told BBC Sport's Nathan Edwards.

"We're all very proud of him. As a player he'll tell you himself, he has improved since he came to the club and has been one of the best defenders in the league, so delighted to see him producing on the big stage. We're very much looking forward to it."

World Cup-bound Cape Verdean Lopes relishing his week to remember