Saints could face Dundalk or Borisov

The Lilywhites lost their Champions League second round qualifier 2-1 to BATE Borisov, and put in a spirited performance. The Belarusian champions have yet to lose a domestic game at the venue and have won all nine of their home fixtures this term.

It marks the first time in four years that the State broadcaster has shown a Champions League qualifier involving an Irish club. Those losses though came against a couple of giants of the continental game in the form of Shakhtar Donetsk and Porto.

Having travelled to Barysaw to see BATE in action recently, manager Stephen Kenny – who managed Bohemians to victory against the same opponents in 2003 – knows his side face a mammoth task but says they are not in awe of Aleksandr Yermakovich’s men.

Dundalk did not want to land BATE at this stage of Europe’s premier competition as they were arguably the most accomplished outfit on the other side of the draw.

“BATE haven’t lost any games at home this season in the league so I don’t think we can be too defensive in our approach but that’s not in our make-up; otherwise we’ll be thinking can we score?” We don’t get ahead of ourselves but, at the same time, you have to have confidence and belief if you’re going to get anywhere.

BATE moved to the 13,000-seater Borisov Arena in 2014 and it has become something of a fortress.

“We are ready to go and looking forward to it. We have had just had one defeat in 25 domestically but this is another level up”. This is another level up though from our domestic form.

Going into tonight’s match Kenny believes his team’s trials and experiences of the Europa League run last season will aid his players greatly. The group have been excellent and they have worked incredibly hard.

Last year, Kenny’s charges exited Europe despite a second leg rally to register a 90 minute win over Hadjuk Split in Croatia.

As well as boasting a flawless home record, BATE have the meanest defence in Belarus.

“The Borisov Arena is not as hostile or as colourful as Split but it’s still an intense stadium”.