Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly is itching for his European debut next month in the second round of Europa Conference League qualifying.
But will know from his stint at Rangers nothing can be taken for granted in the early rounds.
The Steelmen have been drawn to face either Welsh Premier side Bala Town or Sligo Rovers on July 21 and 28 and have a strong chance of making it through the tie.
However, Kelly was part of Rangers travelling party when they suffered a shock defeat to Progres Niederkorn from Luxembourg in 2017 under Pedro Caixinha.
So he will know only too well how difficult it can be to negotiate the early rounds as Motherwell - who finished fifth in the Scottish Premkiership last term - bid to make it to the third round in August.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, Motherwell's player of the year said: “To finish fifth and secure a Euro spot is a great achievement.
"I have never played in a European game before in my career and I can’t wait.
“I’ve been involved in squads with Rangers and I travelled with the team, but I never got any minutes on the pitch.
“They will be difficult games, but we have to go out and enjoy them and make sure we give a good account of ourselves.
“Was European football a target? We knew we could be up there.
“We knew with the squad we had we could be competitive, but that there would be highs and lows and that’s what happened.
“In the first half of the season we were excellent, and although the second half didn’t go as well we were able to make the top six and Europe.
“If someone had offered us that at the start of the campaign then everyone would have taken it.
“We knew if we wanted to reach Europe then we had to apply ourselves correctly and thankfully we did that.
"Every team has to fight for that spot, and we know we will have another battle to repeat this success this season.”
This will be Kelly's third campaign with the Steelmen, having come in on loan from QPR in January 2021 before making a permanent switch last summer.
And he is loving life in ML1.
The 26-year-old added: “I’m happy at Motherwell and I can see myself being here for the long haul.
“I have a long-term contract and I’m pleased with how things are going here.
“I’m settled and enjoying my football and that’s what I always wanted.
“I can’t thank the gaffer enough for the trust and loyalty he has shown me since coming in.
“When I came back up the road I wanted to play a lot of games, and I’ve done that.
“I want to keep improving and play at the highest level I can, everyone does.
“But in terms of where I will be playing in the next few years, right now I can’t see it being anywhere else other than here with Motherwell. I’m happy with that.”
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