Larne are not lambs going to the slaughter in Norway on Thursday night, insists experienced goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson.
The reigning Sports Direct Premiership Champions made history this year in becoming the first Irish League team to reach the lucrative group stages of European competition.
Molde are the first opponents in the new ‘league phase’ of the Europa Conference League, with Olimpija Ljubljana of Slovenia, League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers, St Gallen of Switzerland and Dinamo Minsk of Belarus to follow.
The Invermen won the right to play in the group stages by overcoming Ballkani and Lincoln Red Imps and the former Airdrie and Motherwell guardian insists Larne deserve to be rubbing shoulders with the big boys.
“Make no mistake we’re not here to make up the numbers”, said the 26-year-old from West Lothian. “We’ve got here on merit with how well we’ve done.”
Obviously, Molde will be a hard team to play against but we’ll try and put our stamp on it too.
“We’re not going to go there and just put 11 men behind the ball, we’re going to try and have a go as well.
“We’re excited. Obviously, Molde are a good side and we are going to be underdogs, but I think that suits us.
“I think getting to the league phase, we were always going to be underdogs so we’ll just go and try to enjoy it.
“This competition is massive for clubs like Larne.
“It has given clubs from smaller countries the chance to play in the group stages, who might not have got the chance otherwise.
“But it’s not a competition for minnows as Chelsea and Real Betis are in it. Those teams could be in the Champions League.
“I don’t think there is a massive difference in standard between the Europa League and the Conference League, this cup just gives some smaller teams a better opportunity.
“This game against Molde is probably the biggest game of my life.”
Larne manager Tiernan Lynch was linked with the vacant St Johnstone job last week but talks and the possibility of him leaving Inver Park collapsed at the eleventh hour.
It wasn’t ideal having such a distraction ahead of the game against Molde on Thursday evening (5.45pm) but Ferguson says the players were unaffected by all the speculation.
“Yeah, we’re fine. It didn’t affect our performance against Cliftonville last Friday night.
“Nothing changed in our minds or the Gaffer’s mind, that’s just the way he is and the way we are.
“I said to somebody the other day, it’s a win-win for myself and the people at the club.
“I’ve got a lot of time for Tiernan and had he gone to St Johnstone I would have wished him every success and I’d have been delighted for him.
“But it looks like he’s staying now and that’s a win for me and all the boys as well.
“What Tiernan has done at Larne so far has been incredible and we’re all delighted that he’s staying.”
