Striker Ciaran Kilduff says Dundalk will be aggressive when they host Legia Warsaw at the Aviva on Wednesday night in the first leg of their Champions League playoff.
Watch Dundalk v Legia Warsaw live on RTÉ2 from 7.20pm on Wednesday
The 27-year-old says it is a bit surreal that Dundalk are fighting for a place in the Champions League group stages, and if they had been offered the opportunity at the start of the season they would have bitten your hand off.
“It’s so exciting, the whole club are behind us, the town is behind us, a bit of the country are wrapped up now in the excitement and the circus that’s going on with it.
“I think we’ve captured the imagination and hopefully we can make it a week to remember for us.”
Kilduff says Dundalk will be out to take their chances at the Aviva, with their historic 3-0 win against BATE Borisov in the previous round giving them a real confidence boost.
Ciaran Kilduff tells @Corktod Dundalk will be aggressive in the first leg of their CL playoff against Legia Warsaw.https://t.co/dyKkBxD6JC
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 16, 2016
“I think you have to be aggressive, we’re at home – although we probably aren’t as used to playing in this stadium as we’d like – but after the result against Bate we’re after taking a lot of confidence from it.
“We know we’re up against a top team; they’re not at this stage of the competition if they’re not. But we know what we’re capable of. On our night, on any night we’re capable of scoring goals.
“We’re going to be aggressive with it and hopefully we can take advantage of any lapses on their behalf and stay in the tie.”
Kilduff, who was a member of the Shamrock Rovers side that reached the group stages of the 2011-12 Europea League, has great memories of that campaign, but says it is now time to make new memories.
“We’re only four games into our European adventure, and with a minimum of eight to come; it’s where you want to be.”
The Lilywhites can welcome Ronan Finn and Patrick McEleney back into the squad from respective groin injuries and for the first time in over a month, Brian Gartland is available for selection after his wrist fracture.
