Vinny Perth is confident that Dundalk have the firepower for Europe - but wants a sneak peak this week.
The league champions have slipped eight points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers after banking just one point from six since the resumption.
Dundalk were held 1-1 at home by St Pat’s and followed up with a 2-1 defeat away to Bohemians on Saturday.
They don’t look themselves and Perth hopes they hit form in tomorrow’s FAI Cup clash against Waterford and Friday’s league game with the same opponents.
Both at Oriel Park, they serve as preparation for the Champions League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
That one-off game is expected to be played in Budapest - one of UEFA’s ‘neutral hubs’ - next Wednesday.
And if they get through, Dundalk will host either Molde of Norway or Finnish side KuPS in the next round.
Perth said: “Celje are not a team that we’ll fear, but we’ll respect them and do our homework.
“We're comfortable that we have the firepower to do well in Europe, albeit it hasn't been good enough in the last two games.
“It’ll be warm in Budapest but the neutral venue is an advantage in a one-legged affair and there are positives to the draw.
“Our team really relishes European football and we’ve a lot of experience in the group in that regard.
“We’ve had over 40 European ties in the last seven or eight years and that gives us a good insight into what we’re facing and how we prepare.
"But what we do on the pitch is the only thing that matters. We have to bring our A game - and we’ve not done that in recent games.”
Patrick McEleney, Sean Murray, Sean Hoare and Darragh Leahy are all back in training and available for tomorrow’s FAI Cup clash with Waterford.
