Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Gallagher urges clubs to follow Old Firm’s lead in European ties
MOTHERWELL defender Declan Gallagher feels his club and others need to start producing in Europe for the sake of Scottish football.
Celtic have been regulars in the group stages in recent years while Rangers have qualified two seasons in a row but it was Aberdeen 13 years ago who were the last club outside Glasgow to make it past the qualifiers.
Motherwell came close 10 years ago when they fell to Odense in the Europa League play-offs but the Scottish co-efficient tumbled in subsequent years following the financial collapse of Rangers, making the task even more difficult.
Ex-Dundee man Gallagher and his men are looking to complete a Northern Ireland double when they face Coleraine at The Showgrounds tonight in the second qualifying round of the
Europa League after dispatching Glentoran 5-1 at Fir Park in the opening round.
With Albanians Laci or Hapoel Beer-Sheva of Israel awaiting in the following round, Gallagher is determined to progress.
The Scotland international said; “It’s massive, not just for the club itself but massive for Scottish football as well. Celtic and Rangers are carrying a big burden to always get to Europe.
“I think it’s probably time that other clubs in this league start progressing and start showing that Scottish football is a good league.
“The gaffer has good knowledge of a few of their (Colraine)players, he has given us insight into how they might play and shape up. So it is good knowledge, and Trevor Carson knows a few of the boys as well. So we will be well prepared and we’ve been doing our homework.”