Derek McInnes wants Kilmarnock Euro away day masterclass as familiar Aberdeen script shows they can topple Tromso

Derek McInnes wants another away day masterclass to extend Kilmarnock’s special time in Europe.

The Rugby Park boss is adamant his side can topple Tromso and progress to the Conference League play-off. Killie’s Norwegian hosts are confident having secured a 2-2 first-leg draw in Ayrshire, but McInnes has been in the movie before on foreign soil with Aberdeen and came through successfully.

He explained: “I think the game’s in the balance, to be honest. Obviously, we come away and I think there’s an actual train of thought that everybody seems to think that Tromso are huge favourites and that’s fine and well. But we certainly don’t feel that. I remember [at Aberdeen] we drew 0-0 with Groningen. Groningen were big favourites. We went over to Holland and we won 2-1. I don’t think that necessarily the second leg being away from home is a hindrance.

“I think we all put pressure on ourselves. We want to be in the draw. We want to be able to play the winners of the Copenhagen game. Ideally, we’ll be sitting in Denmark next week. That’s the prize, it’s cup football. You’re either in or you’re out.

“I don’t think there’s a lot between the teams, truth be told. It’s alright me thinking it and feeling that, but obviously we’ve got to go and perform and do our job.

“I don’t want us to wait a few weeks before we go and show our best and look back at what might have been. It’s important that we try and find that form now.

“I think it does feel a bit special. The club’s been formed 155 years and the Kilmarnock fans have only been able to travel in Europe abroad eight or nine times within that. We’re trying to enjoy it, but, equally on the professional part, we want it to continue.”