On the eve of what could be the greatest night in the history of St Patrick’s Athletic, the Saints boss issued a response which told you exactly what he’s thinking ahead of the club’s huge Conference League play-off second-leg tomorrow evening.
“We have been the underdog in every round, but what we don’t do is underestimate ourselves,” said Kenny, speaking ahead of Wednesday’s second-leg in Istanbul (5.0 Irish Time, live on SolidSport).
After their scoreless first-leg at Tallaght Stadium last week, the Saints stand on the brink of history in Turkey as they target a first European group stage qualification, and with it, a guaranteed €3.6m in UEFA prize money.
History awaits for St Pat’s in Turkey play-off
Basaksehir stand in their way – a side who have featured regularly on this stage of late having won the Turkish top-flight in 2019/’20.
“Basaksehir certainly would be strong favourites. Having been champions of Turkey and been in successive group stages in European competitions (four times in the last seven years).
“From our point of view, it’s an opportunity to get through to the group stage of European competition for the first time in our history. It would make a big difference for the players for their career and their lives. We anticipate a tough game but we’re ready for the challenge.
“It’s a real opportunity. We have kept three clean sheets in Europe now, so there is a culture of that with the team, and we’re on a five-game unbeaten run in Europe, so we can take confidence from that.
“The players have shown the ability to score goals. It’s a step up again coming here tomorrow night. However well we have played we have got to raise it to another level again. That’s the challenge and that will be the ambition.
“Momentum is important and the fact you win matches gives confidence, but you have got to prove yourself in every single game. What happened last week and the week before that bears some relevance, but coming to Istanbul is another step up. We’ll have to find the strength to really match them in all areas of the park.
“It will be the first time in the club’s history, the club has been in existence since 1929, so it’s massive for the players here, they want to be part of the elite in Europe in the group stages.
“It’s really massive for them all and for everyone at the club. Istanbul are determined to get there themselves, and have been in it four times in the last few years. We have got to back ourselves and reach our full potential.”
Romal Palmer (knee) and Cian Kavanagh (back) are ruled out of tomorrow’s second-leg but Kenny has a fully fit squad to choose from otherwise.
