Underdog status 'suits' Larne in Santa Clara tie

Rohan Ferguson is mobbed after making the vital save in the penalty shootout against Prishtina

Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson believes his team's primary objective is to keep their Uefa Conference League third-round tie alive against Portugal's Santa Clara after Thursday's first leg at the Ballymena Showgrounds (20:00 BST).

The Invermen negotiated the first two rounds of qualifying in penalty shootouts, but face a significant step up in class against a side that finished fifth in Portugal's top flight last season.

Larne reached the league phase last season and have ambitions of repeating that run, but have a huge test on their hands against the club from the Azores.

Nathan Rooney's side have played their home games in Ballymena due to their home pitch at Inver Park not meeting the required standards, but in their 'home' games against Auda and Prishtina, they kept clean sheets which Ferguson acknowledged is "a bit strange as it's not our home pitch".

Holding Santa Clara scoreless on Thursday would give them plenty to play for ahead of next week's return leg.

"It's another massive test," said Ferguson.

"We know they're a good side and have done the analysis on them. We want to get out to Portugal with something to play for.

"We want to enjoy Europe and hopefully get through to the next round, which will be hard. We've been underdogs the past two rounds but that suits us going into this one, [we're] not expected to win."

'Penalties comes down skill rather than luck'

Ferguson was the hero in the previous away legs which both went to penalties, making vital stops to see his side through.

Although some may argue penalties are little more than a lottery, the Larne goalkeeper disagrees.

"The coaching staff and goalkeeping analysis have done the work, so it's just happened to be me who saved the penalties.

"It's been a collective and we're just happy to be through to the next one.

"A lot of people say penalties is a lottery, but I don't think it is. You can step up and put a penalty where you want. We'll be confident if it goes down that route, but hopefully we can do it before that."

Ferguson has the distinction of appearing in all of Larne's previous games in Europe.

The 27-year-old Scot has also collected two Irish League titles with the club, but those big nights on the continental stage will always hold a special place in his memory.

"I'll remember these nights for the rest of my life," he said.

"Winning a few league titles here is unbelievable but when I'm older and look back on my career, these are the nights I'll remember."