Dundalk’s top scorer David McMillan remains hopeful that the Irish club can build on last year’s performance against BATE Borisov and cause a huge upset in the third round of the Champions League qualifiers.
The SSE Airtricity side take on the Belarusians for the second successive year after overcoming FH Hafnarfjordur on away goals in the last round, with the first leg taking place at Borisov Arena tomorrow night (7pm Irish time).
McMillan found the net in the corresponding fixture last season, but a goalless draw at Oriel Park saw Dundalk bow out 2-1 on aggregate.
Stephen Kenny’s side will be without Brian Gartland as he recovers from surgery on a broken wrist. The Lilywhites will go in search of just a fifth away victory in their 52nd European fixture.
McMillan goes into the game in fine form as the club’s top scorer with 15 goals and speaking to dundalkfc.com ahead of the match at the Borisov Arena, admitted he was pleased to get past FH last week.
“Last week was a great win for us," he said. "FH are a good side and you could see that there was very little to separate us over the two legs.
"We managed to get the away goals which was the key and we are delighted to get the win. We played well over the tie and happy to be through."
With a six-point lead in the domestic league, Dundalk look in prime position to continue their domination of the league, but McMillan belives there is a great opportunity to cause a European shock.
“We know BATE quite well from last year obviously and they are a brilliant side.
“They have been to the Champions League group stages since we played them last year and they got on well.
“We gave them a shock last year and I think that if we play to our full potential this year we have a real shout in getting through.”
