Stephen Robinson: St Mirren won't get carried away in European adventure
Last updated 22nd Jul 2024
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson is not allowing himself to get carried away by the prospect of a Europa Conference League third qualifying round trip to the Netherlands or Norway.
The Buddies play their first European tie in 37 years when they face Valur in Iceland in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie on Thursday.
Monday's draw in Switzerland left the Scottish Premiership side on course to face the winner of the tie between Go Ahead Eagles, who won the Dutch Conference League play-off last term, and SK Brann, who finished second in Norway last year, if they get past their Reykjavik-based opponents over the next two Thursdays.
"It's more for the fans (to get excited at this stage), I've got my boys ringing me saying the flights are only ÂŁ80 to Amsterdam, which is certainly cheaper than Iceland," said Robinson.
"My job is to focus on the here and now. We are nowhere near Norway or Amsterdam at this moment in time. We've got two tough games to overcome against Valur. I'll let the fans do all the dreaming and the planning and then I'll worry about it if we get there.
"They would be huge ties against big teams and huge challenges. I believe we've got a squad that can go and play in Europe, I believe we are tactically aware and technically a well-coached team.
"It's a challenge we are looking forward to and if we can progress to the next round, the challenge just gets greater."
Robinson is excited about being the first manager since Alex Smith in 1987 to lead St Mirren into a European tie.
"It's my job to play the occasion down but for the fans it's fantastic," he said. "They've waited a long time and they are rightly excited. There will be a lot of focus on the game.
"It's a shame we've only got a certain amount of tickets for the away game so we're aware we have to be in the game for the second leg to get the Paisley crowd behind us.
"It's a huge chance to put the football club on the map and for me as a manager and the players, it's for us to navigate the game and concentrate solely on what's in front of us."
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