Pat's pace and settled back four offer hope in Istanbul - Graham Gartland

St Patrick's Athletic may be heavy underdogs in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off against Istanbul Basaksehir but last week's first-leg result as well as their pace and a more settled back four will offer them hope, according to Graham Gartland.

On Wednesday, the Saints will be aiming to become just the third League of Ireland club to reach the group stages of a European competition.

Shamrock Rovers have done so three times, first in the Europa League during the 2011-12 season before reaching the Conference League two seasons ago and guaranteeing a spot once again for this year's campaign.

Dundalk have also had their European adventures, most recently in the midst of Filippo Giovagnoli's brief time in charge back in 2020-21, following on from the Lilywhites' maiden appearance in the 2016-17 Europa League during Stephen Kenny's trophy-laden tenure.

The former Republic of Ireland manager has form for guiding club's through the rungs of a European qualifying campaign and after drawing 0-0 against Basaksehir with a gutsy performance in last Thursday's Conference League play-off round first leg at Tallaght Stadium, his St Pat's side go to the Turkish capital on Wednesday evening to face a club that has amassed plenty of continental experience on top of winning a domestic league just over four years ago.

However, even if the odds seem to be against Pat's, there are a few factors that give the Dublin outfit at least a puncher's chance against heavyweight opposition, according to former League of Ireland-winning defender Gartland, who pinpointed the Saints' ability to eat up the ground on the break as an asset.

"The pace they have in the frontline with (Zach) Elbouzedi, Jake Mulraney and Mason Melia will get you