Chris Gallagher says Larne are relishing the chance to make even more history in Georgia tomorrow night
· Johnny McNabb · 2026-08-10 · nguồn gốc
Chris Gallagher excited for 'massive' winner-takes-all European tie as Invermen hunt down league phase football
Chris Gallagher says Larne are looking forward to the challenge of creating even more history as they prepare for tomorrow night’s winner-takes-all European tie in Georgia.
The Invermen know a positive result against FC Iberia 1999 will secure a spot in the Europa League play-off round after the two teams played out a scoreless draw in the first-leg at Inver Park.
If Larne are successful in the Georgian capital, they will guarantee a spot in the league phase of the Conference League, irrespective of how they perform in the Europa League play-off round against either Polish side Jagellonia Bialystock or Glasgow giants Rangers.
Larne made history in 2024 when they became the first Irish League side to reach group or league phase European football and they are potentially just 90 minutes away from replicating that feat.
"It's massive,” Gallagher said of the crunch second leg on Larne’s social media platforms.
"I think we can take a lot of confidence from last week's performance and we know we can go there and get a result.
"Obviously it would set-up a play-off in the Europa League if we progress, and then a win would guarantee Conference League.
"It's one that we're extremely looking forward to and hopefully we can do it.”
On the prospects of facing Rangers – who trail 2-1 after the first-leg in Poland, Gallagher replied: "It would be massive but we're not looking too far ahead.
"We've still got the second leg of this and we'll prepare for that...then what will come, will come.”
Larne failed to breach a resolute FC Iberia 1999 defence in last week’s first meeting, with the visitors having a goal disallowed for offside.
When asked if Larne can take positives from their first-leg display to take to Georgia, Gallagher stated: "It was a very good performance...probably disappointed that we're coming away with a 0-0 in a European tie, which I think is crazy to say.
"But I think that shows you how far we've come as a club and a league.
"We were in there with a 0-0 and our heads down...but there's plenty of positives to take and we're looking forward to Tuesday.
"But look, we didn't take our chances and sometimes that's what happens.”