St Patrick's Athletic manager John McDonnell has billed tomorrow night's meeting with Hertha Berlin as the biggest game in the club's history. The Inchicore side are 2-0 down from the first leg of their Uefa Cup qualifier but they were far from overawed in the Olympic stadium a fortnight ago and there is genuine belief among the squad that a shock could be in store at the RDS tomorrow night.

Pat's could become the first Irish side to progress into a European Cup competition proper if they manage to turn the tables tomorrow night.

"We're 90 minutes away from potentially a huge change for everyone and everything at this club but we need to put that to the back of our minds for now," said McDonnell today.

"We'll need to be in control, we have plans in place for the game but it's important we don't get done on the counter attack.

"We'll have to get in behind them and put plenty ball into their box. We need to improve on the last day and get at them in the last third."

McDonnell will be without Dessie Byrne after he took a knock in the FAI Cup quarter-final replay win over Sporting Fingal but expects John Murphy to feature despite a back injury.

Winger Ryan Guy is sure to be involved and the American insists there is belief in the squad.

"We probably don't have the notoriety or the respect that the German side have but it comes down to 11 against 11 and with our squad, our supporters we're confident of being able to do a job."

Uefa regulations mean the tie has to be played at the RDS and though McDonnell would prefer the tie was staged at Inchicore plans are in place to make it as similar as possible.

"I'd be more confident if it was in Inchicore but we'll keep the dimensions of the RDS pitch similar to our own in Richmond Park. We're not going to start playing games with the size of the pitch.

"We'll need to pass it and play so we need the width and use it for the likes of Ryan Guy to show his pace.

"It's not often that you have the calibre of a team such as Hertha Berlin playing competitive football in Dublin. It's a major sporting event probably the most important game in the club's history and I'd love to see the crowds coming out to support us."

Kick-off at the RDS is 5pm and tickets will be available at Richmond Park until 2pm and in Ballsbridge until 2.30pm, as well as being on sale through Ticketmaster.