EUROPA LEAGUE: Group stages would be a 'dream' says Mulgrew
Linfield v FC Zurich: Windsor Park, 7.45pm
Linfield captain Jamie Mulgrew says the carrot of a European group stage place is all the motivation the side need ahead of tonight's Europa League Third Qualifying Round first leg at Windsor Park.
David Healy's men take on Swiss champions FC Zurich - aiming to repeat their superb 1-0 home victory over Norwegian title-holders Bodo/Glimt in the previous round.
A tough day at the office saw the 10-man Blues swept aside 8-0 in the away leg after Kirk Millar was sent off for handball early on.
But experienced European campaigner Mulgrew
"What we've been very good at is bouncing back from poor results and poor performances. I think we've all been on the end of a tanking before," he admits.
But we've strong characters and a strong mentality at this football club. I think we've shown that with the amount of trophies we've won and the difficult situations we've found ourselves in and we've come out the other end of it in a good manner.
"Last week was another difficult evening and a bitter pill to swallow. But we knew it was going to be a difficult task. We can't do anything about that now and all we can control is what we do moving forward," Mulgrew adds.
The 36-year-old has made over 650 appearance for Linfield and will go down in history as one of their most iconic players. He says to become the first Irish League club to secure group stage European football would be a dream come true.
"The group stage is the biggest carrot for us. Getting past TNS was the first major hurdle for us because it gave us the opportunity to play more European games and more opportunities to make the group stages.
"Look, the Conference League would be the most realistic opportunity for Linfield, but for any Irish League club if we're being honest," he aays
"But, we know that if we beat Zurich, we're in the group stages and that would be crazy.
"For us a club and the players as individuals, it would be what dreams are made of. I've spent a long time at this club and to be part of a team that would be in the group stages in Europe would be fantastic."