Glentoran boss Mick McDermott believes Irish League clubs should continue dreaming big in Europe and not rule out gatecrashing the group stages of UEFA competition.
The Big Two giants kick off their Europa Conference League campaign at home to The New Saints of Wales at The Oval on Thursday night (kick-off 6.45pm).
And while the Glens, Coleraine and Larne are four rounds away from the lucrative group stages, McDermott believes all three local clubs should aim high in the competition.
Asked how close Irish League clubs are to emulating the likes of Dundalk who reached the group stages of last year’s Europa League, he said: “I think it’s a reality with a favourable draw.
“We beat Torshavn of the Faroes in the preliminary round of the Europa League last year and the team that finished third in the Faroese league went on to play Dundalk in the play-offs.
“Back in the old days, or even more recently than that, you drew a big team in the first round and you had no chance. You were out.
“But I think in recent years the style of play in the Irish League and the way teams are set up lends itself more to playing in European competition.
“Linfield were only one goal away from advancing to the group stages of the Europa League two years ago because they were able to defend well and break with pace.
“I think local teams have learned to adapt and I don’t think we’re that far away. If you get a favourable draw in Europe you could go close (to the group stages).”
While McDermott believes Irish League teams are improving and should ditch their inferiority complex when it comes to Europe, he isn't looking beyond tonight’s tricky first leg with TNS in East Belfast.
The winners of the tie will progress to face either Europa (Gibraltar) or Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris in the next round with a third round and play-off also lying in wait before the group stages.
“It’s hard to find videos on TNS because their league isn’t televised and they’re not on the Wyscout System, but it isn’t a step into the unknown,” said McDermott.
“I went over to watch them in Scotland last week and they’re very similar to a good Irish League side, so it’ll probably be a similar game to the ones we face in our domestic league.
“They are a good side, but we are familiar with that style of football and if we show up, it is a winnable tie. We definitely want to get through a round of the competition.”
With two unnamed players self isolating due to Covid-19 contact tracing, Glentoran won’t have a full panel to choose from for Thursday night's tie.
“It is what it is in the current climate, but we have a big squad and we'll use it,” said McDermott.
Just under 1,000 Glentoran supporters will be in attendance for the game, with the return leg of the first qualifying round tie at Park Hall in Shropshire next Thursday.
