Now we’re Crued in

Baxter says Ludo lesson has been learnt

test prior to travelling to Bulgaria and he’s bracing himself for a similar challenge in the return leg. He said: “It’s probably the toughest draw we could have got and we always knew it would be dreadfully difficult. Some of their football was scintillating.

“We were up against opposition so far advanced of us, so it was a difficult night, but it’s big time football and we’re honoured to be involved in ties like this.

“Their team is full of quality and it’s a big challenge, but we’re at home and we’ll devise a gameplan to contain them as best we can.” While Crusaders are resigned to bowing out of the Champions League, they know a place in the Europa League is guaranteed. A restructuring of European competition by UEFA means they automatically enter the second qualifying round of the Europa League where Ljubljana or Qarabag lie in wait.

With the Danske Bank Premiership kicking off on August 4, Baxter, above, views this year’s Euro adventure as the perfect preseason ahead of the new campaign.

He said: “We are guaranteed at least four European ties against high level opposition and I think it will stand us in good stead.

“Normally at this time of year, we’d be playing local junior teams, but we have the chance to play high profile games against top quality opposition. It will stiffen our resolve.”

Captain Colin Coates and Sean Ward, who missed last week’s first leg, remain unavailable for the Crues.