Stephen Baxter hailed Crusaders’ memorable 2-2 draw with Rosenborg as his best in Europe but is disappointed that his team are not taking a lead to Norway.
Hearts are no closer to knowing who they will face in the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League after the Northern Irish outfit defied their underdog status to put on a memorable performance in Belfast on Thursday evening.
Baxter’s team stunned their illustrious European counterparts by taking the lead through Philip Lowry before the visitors hit back through Carlos Holse and Ole Saeter before the break.
Defender Billy Joe Burns ensured Crues still have hopes of setting up a clash with Hearts with an equaliser 16 minutes from time.
The two teams now do it all again in the second leg in Trondheim next Thursday
Baxter said: “I’d probably go as far to say that it’s the best European night that I’ve ever experienced and I think I’ve probably had 18 or something of these now as a manager.
“Our level of performance, given that we’re just back into pre-season friendlies and then coming into this level of game, because make no mistake about it, this is a top, top quality side who kept the ball extremely well, were intelligent in their movement, their runners - but we nullified that threat.
“Then we had our own special moments in the game where we created chances in both halves.
“We scored two goals and might have scored three more in those spells.
“We are probably disappointed with the two goals we’ve conceded as well so that said, a 2-2 draw is okay, being greedy we felt that we might have got the result.
“But we’re under no illusions how good the opposition were and how difficult it will be out there.
“On the whole I’m proud of the team performance and very proud of the fans.
"I asked the team to do it for themselves, then for their families, the club and Northern Ireland and I think they did that exceptionally well.”
