Dundalk newcomer Runar Hauge will have the inside track on Shamrock Rovers’ group stage rivals in more ways than one.
And even though Rovers smashed his Lilywhites 3-0 a week ago and are targeting Europe's knockout stages, he believes the league champions will need to improve considerably to make any impact in their group.
The Norwegian is well placed to assess the strengths of compatriots Molde ahead of their Hoops clash and insists football in his homeland is only getting stronger.
Djurdgardens of Sweden are tough fourth seeds and his brother, Jens Petter Hauge, has a direct line into the group’s top seeds, Gent of Belgium - the older sibling recently joined them on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Last season, Jens Petter came on for Eintracht in their Europa League final win over Rangers in May and made 18 appearances for AC Milan in 2020 and 2021 before that.
Hauge, 20, is hoping to get to Tallaght Stadium to see his brother, 22, in action.
From Bode in Norway, they come from sporting stock as their mother was a good skier and their father was a professional footballer before joining the military aged 19.
Their 15-year-old sister has designs on following in her brothers’ footsteps and has recently played her second professional game with a local women's team Bode.
Hauge, on loan from SPL side Hibs and who was previously with Bode/Glimt, will chat to his brother this week about his Conference League draw and upcoming European battles with Shamrock Rovers.
He didn’t bother on Friday, when the draw was made, as he was focussed on Dundalk's FAI Cup clash in Wexford, which they eventually snatched in extra-time.
And tonight, the Lilywhites are back in action when they travel to face Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds in a rearranged league game.
But assessing Shamrock Rovers’ competition, Hauge said: “Norwegian football is getting better and better.
“My old club Bode/Glimt is doing so well in Europe and Molde are leading the league in Norway so that will be a good game with Rovers.
“I’ll try to go and watch it. It's not easy to compare the two leagues but it will be easier when you see the two teams up against each other.”
Hauge continued: “I’ll text my brother in the next couple of days and let him know it will be fun to meet him. But I'm positive that Gent will beat Rovers.
“I wasn't impressed by Rovers last week. It was a sloppy performance by us to concede those three goals. They will be punished by better teams in Europe.
“My brother has been doing well in Europe, first with Milan and then Frankfurt and hopefully he will have a good loan spell with Gent.”
Hauge isn’t throwing in the towel on reeling in Shamrock Rovers - who have a seven point advantage - as he feels they could drop points with one eye on Europe.
But at the very least he wants Dundalk to nail down their second spot and secure a return to Europe next year.
Hauge wants to taste European competition just like his brother and said: “Hopefully I will meet him in Europe one day, that would be fun. Not for my Mum maybe! But for us.
“Of course you want to play in Europa League, Conference League or Champions League if possible, that is always a goal you have to reach for.”
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