Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley is bracing himself for a tough European draw this summer.
The Champions League qualifying draw is on June 15 but the unseeded Hoops have just discovered the identity of some potential opponents.
Dinamo Zagreb, Olympiakos, Red Star Belgrade, Ludogorets, Malmo and Legia Warsaw are among the seeded teams already confirmed.
So too are Sheriff Tiraspol - who Dundalk beat on penalties last year - Ferencváros and Dinamo Tbilisi.
A number of other European leagues have yet to be decided whereas Rangers will enter in the second qualifying round and Ajax go straight into the group stages.
Bradley said today: “I’ve seen the teams we could possibly get in the European draw and it looks very, very difficult as we’re unseeded.
“That will look after itself when it comes around but hopefully we'll have a lot of football between the summer and the end of the season.
“There are some really, really strong, high level (teams) but again the only way you improve is by being there and doing well in Europe to improve your coefficient.”
Last summer, Rovers faced a star studded AC Milan side that included Zlatan Ibrahimovic who opened the scoring in a 2-0 win in Tallaght.
That Europa League clash was played over one-leg because of severe travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
But UEFA has already indicated that the European qualifying rounds will revert to traditional home and away ties.
Meanwhile, Bradley claims that he is unlikely to sign new players this summer just for the sake of it.
Former Dundalk star Richie Towell has already joined from Salford City and will be available to play from July 1.
And although Bradley says his new midfielder needs an extended rest, he could face the Lilywhites in his first game on July 2.
But Towell could be the only new face through the door in Tallaght and Bradley said: “We won't look to add a player just for the sake of it.
“If one we've had an eye on for a few years becomes available well then we’ll bring it to the board but now there is nothing there.”
