Larne boss Tiernan Lynch has told his players to embrace tonight’s step into the “unknown” against St Joseph’s in the first qualifying round of the Europa Conference League (6pm). While Rangers fans might recall the Old Firm giants hammering the Saints 10-0 on aggregate in the Europa League three years ago, little else is known of the Gibraltar outfit.
Abraham Paz’s men finished third in their domestic league last season and have yet to face Irish League opposition since first competing in Europe in 2017.
“We have done our analysis on St Joseph’s and there’s always that little bit of the unknown. But that’s all part of the excitement of playing in Europe,” said Lynch.
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“We don’t know what the temperatures will be like on the night, what we will be facing or the kind of game plan we might need depending on how good they are. But we have to be excited by that challenge.
"The players have been very professional in their approach and I know the boys are busting to get out onto the pitch.”
Larne, who reached the third qualifying round of the competition last summer, will face St Joseph’s in the return leg at Inver Park next Thursday.
Betting odds
- St Joseph's 5/2
- Larne 17/20
- Draw 5/2
Odds from McLean Bookmakers
Belfast Live prediction
Larne win (17/20)
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