Stephen Bradley has urged his Shamrock Rovers side to become record breakers in Europe - starting in Tallaght against Gent.
The Hoops will field their strongest possible side in the Thursday night clash - and away to Djurgardens next month - after prioritising their Premier Division title chase up to Monday, when they were crowned champions.
And Bradley wants them to better the four points picked up by Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk during their 2016 Europa League campaign.
Rovers are currently one one point after four games - a draw at home to Djurgardens on the opening night.
He said: “We still have a chance of breaking the record for an Irish team in Europe. That starts tomorrow night and that’s our focus.
“It would be a brilliant achievement if we could win our third league and get five, six or seven points in the group stages. That would turn out to be a brilliant year.
“So hopefully we can get that started (tonight).”
He added that the title win earlier this week has changed the mindset going into tonight’s game against Gent.
“It obviously just frees us up to fully focus on the game in hand,” he said. “If we don’t win the league on Monday, I think we really have to focus on Derry on Sunday.
“But obviously that’s not the case now, which allows us to fully focus on Gent and bring what we have to the table.
“I’ve spoken quite a bit about our results and performances in this group.
“I think if you look at the performances here against Djurgardens and Molde, I definitely feel we should have at least won one of those games.
“There have been times where we’ve had to change things up a little bit with league games on the Sunday, important league games.
“But I think the fact that the league is done now gives us the opportunity to really focus on Gent.”
Bradley will be missing some key players, with Ronan Finn coming off injured against St Patrick’s Athletic, Gary O’Neill out and Graham Burke struggling. Jack Byrne is rated 50/50.
Alan Mannus will start, despite Bradley being eager to rest the veteran goalkeeper, who has played through the pain barrier recently.
“I didn't want him to play (against Pats),” said Bradley. “He was adamant. He is not getting any younger and wants to play games. He feels he is ready to play.
“He showed against Pats he was ready. I have to trust him and what he is telling me.
“You don't say no to Alan!”
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