St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright’s heart hopes his side will be facing Crusaders FC in their Europa League qualifying rounds but his head tells him their opponents will be Rosenborg.
Saints were one of the teams in the hat for the draw made at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Once the teams were separated into individual groups, Wright’s side faced potential ties against teams as diverse as FK Metalurg Skopje from Macedonia, FC Minsk from Belarus and Turkish outfit Trabzonspor.
However, they have been paired with the winners of the first round qualifier between Northern Ireland side Crusaders and the Norwegians of Rosenborg, who will play the two legs on July 4 and 11.
Saints will then travel either to Seaview in Belfast or the Lerkendal Stadion in Trondheim on July 18.
Former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Wright has close ties with the part-time Crusaders but he is aware that Rosenborg will provide stern opposition.
The two teams met at the same stage of the competition last year with the Norwegian side running out convincing 4-0 aggregate winners.
No matter who triumphs this time, Wright admitted that it is a relief to have a chance to run the rule over both teams unlike last season’s European adventure to face Eskisehirspor in Turkey which was very much a leap into the unknown.
Wright, who previously managed at another Belfast side, Lisburn Distillery, said: “I know Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter and a few of the players there.
“From my point of view, it would be nice if Crusaders could get through although I know it will be difficult for them.
“Rosenborg have a good European pedigree and are a full-time side who have already started their season. The good thing for us is that it will be easy to get information on both teams and to have them watched.
“It was really difficult last season getting any information on Eskisehirspor, especially as they were in the middle of their pre-season.
“Thankfully, we won’t have to put up with the extreme Turkish heat again if it’s to be Northern Ireland, then it’s rain we will have to look out for!
“Travelling wise, whoever we play it should not be a problem which is good for us and the fans. I was in the Linfield squad that played Rosenborg in the European Cup back in the 1980s and I have good memories of the trip to Trondheim.
“Rosenborg will obviously start as favourites, especially after beating the Crusaders last season but I expect them to give a good account of themselves so you never know.
“But no matter who we end up playing, we will be fully prepared.”
That preparation begins in earnest on Thursday when the players return for the start of pre-season.
And Wright has no fears that his squad will report back in anything other than the peak of fitness as they gear up for their second successive tilt at Europe.
He said: “We had already decided before Steve (former manager Lomas) left that we would bring the lads back a bit earlier than normal because of the Europa League games.
“They had a long, hard season last term and fully deserved their time off but I am sure that when they are fitness tested on Thursday, they will be in top shape.
“They are all good pros and they were given a fitness programme to follow before they began their break.
“It’s not like 20 years ago when lads would maybe return a bit overweight. We will be putting a lot of hard work in between now and the first game on July 18.”