From non-league into the Europa League, Caley Thistle defender Gary Warren is determined his continental adventure will not be one and gone.
Inverness take on Romanians FC Astra in the first leg of the second qualifying round at Caeldonian Stadium this evening after qualifying for a European competition for the first time by winning last season’s Scottish Cup.
Warren has made 119 appearances since joining Caley Jags from English League 2 side Newport County in 2012 after years in part-time football with Mangotsfield United and Team Bath.
The 30-year-old expects tonight’s match against Astra to be a fresh experience entirely and said: “I’m very excited, it’s a first time for me to play in a competition like this and it will be a proud moment. It will be a tough one – any team that qualifies for Europe is going to be good.
“Playing European teams is slightly different. There are different officials, the way players react may be different. Perhaps we will have to be a little more streetwise in how we handle not just the officials but the opposition as well.
“It’s about being as clever as we can, working out the opposition but also playing to our strengths.”
Warren is determined to ensure the European debut does not end at the first hurdle and added: “We have qualified on merit. We deserve our place in the competition and I’d like to think we’ll make it tough for Astra.
“It’s a first for the majority of us so to go out and lock horns with a team of European standard will be something to remember.
“We’re in our first qualifying round but we don’t want that to be it. We want to kick on and try to get as far as we can in the competition. We’ve got some good players in our squad who have been working hard for more than a year on the way we play and pass the ball so I’d like to think it will come off.”
Caley Thistle have confirmed Brian Rice as the new assistant manager following the departure of Russell Latapy last week.
Manager John Hughes said: “This is the third time Brian and I have linked up, as he was my assistant at Falkirk and Hibernian, so I have a full insight in to the quality of his coaching and I’m delighted he has agreed to join us.
“Brian is a highly qualified coach and can be a big asset to us as we face the challenge of a new season.”