It may be an old cliche in football but Warren Feeney is well aware that there are no easy games.
The new Glentoran boss is preparing for his first competitive game since his appointment at The Oval with Maltese outfit Gzira United the opposition this evening.
They may not be a household name in European competition, but Feeney and the Glens will not be taking anything for granted.
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Whilst in charge of Big Two rivals Linfield, Feeney almost conjured up a shock on the European stage back in 2014.
Andy Waterworth's late goal gave the Blues a one-goal lead heading into the second leg against Swedish outfit AIK Solna.
Two second half goals at the Friends Arena in Stockholm ultimately broke Linfield hearts.
Gzira will present a different set of challenges for the Glens but Feeney is hoping they can kick off their Europa Conference League journey in a positive manner.
"I don't think there are any easy games in football nowadays," he said.
"All the teams are getting better in Europe.
"You look even at the teams from the Faroe Islands you used to get through them quite easily but in recent years the games have been close against sides from there.
"So we know we are going to have a tough game.
"I have enough contacts out in Malta to get information on Gzira.
"As I say we know it won't be easy, but it's the hand we've been dealt.
"We will go into the game full of confidence off the back of a decent pre-season so far.
"We will have our homework done on them and be ready for a good double-header."
The Glens are so far unbeaten in their pre-season preparation including a draw with St Mirren and a win over Kilmarnock.
Feeney, who has a couple of injury concerns, is pleased with how things have gone so far.
"We have a couple of niggles but we'll see how things go," he said.
"The big one is on Thursday and the games so far have been a fitness exercise building up to that."
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