Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny insists his side will not have an "inferiority complex" when they take on Croatian side Hajduk Split in tonight's Europa League second qualifying round first leg tie at Oriel Park.
Kenny’s side go into the game on the back of a 12-game unbeaten run and sit top of the pile domestically, following last Sunday’s 1-0 win over Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght.
Kenny said his players firmly believe they can pull off one of the greatest feats in the club’s history by advancing past the 18-time champions of Croatia. “Hajduk are a club of great pedigree but we will be going out to express ourselves,” said Kenny. “We will have to make sure we are defensively sound because they will pose more of a threat than what we are used to in the League of Ireland but we must ensure we have a cutting edge in our play.
“Our home form has been excellent and we certainly won’t be going out there feeling inferior to them.”
Stiff test
Kenny sent former Mervue United manager
Johnny Glynn
to watch Hajduk’s 1-1 draw with Rubin Kazan at their Slovenian pre-season training camp last week and he is expecting a stiff test.
“They have played five pre-season games, all against Russian opposition,” said Kenny. “They have been training on astroturf, they’ve had a camera man at every game since the draw was made and they have even been using the ball that we will be playing with. They are taking us very seriously.”
Dundalk are able to call upon striker David McMillan who missed the win in Tallaght through suspension. New signing Donal McDermott is also eligible and impressed after coming on as a substitute on Sunday.
