Dundee United midfielder Morgaro Gomis believes the Tangerines can earn pass marks in Europe if they can continue to play keep-ball.
The Tangerines held possession for long spells despite losing 2-1 to English Championship side Hull City at the KC Stadium on Saturday, in a tricky pre-season friendly.
The ability to travel and look composed on the ball is exactly what will be required in the Europa League final qualifying round, the draw for which is made on Friday.
With possible opponents including Liverpool, Manchester City, Sporting Lisbon and Juventus, it is no wonder that Gomis is relishing the prospect.
And, when the first leg comes around on August 19, he is confident United can do themselves proud.
Gomis said, “Obviously we all want to go as far as we can in the Europa League so will be looking for a good route into the group stages, but if we get a really big team like Liverpool then I will be happy with that too.
“In fact, I will be delighted.
“To make progress into the group stages is our goal but if I have to play against Steven Gerrard at Liverpool then that would be a dream.”
He added, “One thing I would say is that whoever we get in the draw we are a team that can pass the ball well and keep possession.
“That will be absolutely crucial in Europe.”Visible improvementHe said, “Against Hull, we showed that we could keep the ball and I think we were unlucky to lose the game.
“We are definitely getting better. We have been working so hard in training and I think you can see improvement in our play.
“Now we have to step up again next weekend because we have Wigan in our final friendly and they are from the Premiership.
“Then we start the league season at St Mirren and, of course, have Europe to look forward to later.”
Four minutes after Tom Cairney’s snap-shot gave the hosts a 10th-minute lead at the KC, United’s trialist central defender Irmantas Zelmikas sneaked in at the back post to level.
Then came Hull’s bizarre winner, which saw unlucky goalkeeper Dusan Pernis do well to save a deflected Nolberto Solano free-kick only for his punch to rebound into the net off the in-rushing Zelmikas.
Despite the scoreline, manager Peter Houston agreed with the Gomis analysis that United enjoyed good possession and were unfortunate.
He said, “We passed Hull to death and dominated the game.
“When you look at the goals we lost, you could not legislate for them.
“The first one was a total screamer and it only came about because the ball deflected off Scott Robertson.”Houston keen on ZelmikasHe added, “The second one was dreadful bad luck. The free-kick took a deflection off the wall, Irmantas has followed in like he is meant to do but Dusan pushed the ball off him.
“We came here for a hard game and we got it.”
Meanwhile, Zelmikas’ misfortune does not look likely to cost him a deal at United.
Houston will hold talks with chairman Stephen Thompson to determine whether there is room on the payroll for Zelmikas and hopes to make the player an offer early this week.
The manager said, “I need to see if we have the money to bring him in so I will chat with the chairman.
“Then I have to see if he wants to come and then how much money it would cost.
“His experience would definitely add something to the football club.”