CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Larne focussed on European progression
Larne v HJK Helsinki at Solitude (7.30pm)
Larne Manager Tiernan Lynch says there's no reason why the Irish Premiership champions can't progress to the second qualifying round of the Champions League .
The Inver Park side meet Finnish champions HJK Helsinki at Cliftonville's Solitude stadium, aiming to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit.
Having conceded from the penalty spot just 90 seconds into their first foray in the competition last week, Lynch's side were unfortunate not to grab a share of the spoils on the road - and that will give them confidence going into tonight's clash.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Lynch admitted his side showed some nerves in the first half of last week's tie.
"Going 1-0 nil down after 90 seconds probably give them the opportunity be a bit more conservative. There was definitely a bit of awe and we got shaken a bit because of the start," he said.
"We couldn't be more proud of the performance they put in, but, we know there a huge room for improvement for us."
For skipper Tomas Cosgrove - who will return to the venue of his former club Cliftonville tonight - he's unequivocal when it comes to the question of whether the Irish Premiership Champions are capable of making it through to the next round.
"I fully believe we can go out and get something down. We're not out to make up the numbers and we've proved we can fully compete at this level," he said.
If Larne can get through tonight, it increase their chances of making group stage European football. Linfield came within seconds last season of becoming the first Irish League club to manage that feat.
Cosgrove readily admits, he didn't want David Healy's side to win.
"You saw Linfield last year and I make no bones about it - I didn't want them to be the ones to do it. I want it to be Larne because I'm involved. It's a massive carrot for the club."