David Healy hailed Linfield's European record-breaker Jamie Mulgrew following Saturday's win over Tre Fiori.
The Blues claimed a 2-0 victory over the San Marino side in the semi-finals of the Champions League preliminary round mini-tournament.
Second-half goals from Bastien Hery and Christy Manzinga sealed the win in Nyon, Switzerland, to book a final showdown with Drita of Kosovo who beat Andorran outfit Inter Inter d'Escaldes 2-1.
Saturday's appearance was Mulgrew's 37th in European competition for Linfield, eclipsing legendary former defender and captain Noel Bailie.
"As a Linfield supporter, Noel Bailie will forever be engraved in Linfield's history," Healy told Linfield's website.
"The amount of appearances, and to be a one-club man, is incredible. And also the person he is, and the way he played.
"Again, Jamie has been a fantastic captain during my time at the club.
"I do a lot of my team talks in the dressing room around Jamie, that's how much I think of him.
"So to pass someone of the quality of Noel Bailie, that is an exceptional record for Jamie.
"I thanked him in the dressing room. I had actually forgotten about the record in the heat of the moment. But I went back to congratulate him.
"It is a tremendous feat to break Linfield's all-time European appearance record. I know a lot of the players who have played with Jamie, they really appreciate what he has achieved."
