Tigana sets sights on big stage
The Cottagers take on Hajduk Split in the first round, first leg tonight on Croatia's Adriatic coast.
Fulham breezed through this summer's Intertoto Cup to clinch their debut match in major European competition, against the team who finished second in last season's Croatian championship.
And, encouraged by his team's excellent domestic form with the thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against Tottenham followed by Saturday's 3-0 thrashing of Sunderland Tigana spoke of his plan to continue Al Fayed's fairytale success story with the Londoners.
Former France player and Monaco manager Tigana, asked if he had missed top-level European football, said: ''Yes, because Europe is like a gift.
Tomorrow's game is important as it's Fulham's first in UEFA Cup. Now I want to play in the European Cup this year or next. That's my target.''
Fulham have started this season impressively in stark contrast to their up-and-down campaign last year which culminated in a relegation battle.
Tigana, on crutches with his right leg in plaster after an operation, added: ''The players have progressed in a year at the higher level and our midfielders have scored many goals this season, which is the difference from last season. When we started in the Intertoto, the aim was to play in this game.
''We got through many stages to get here but there's no target now as it's a discovery for me and the players.
''It's very important for the players to get experience at a higher level.''
A key player in tonight's match at the 33,000-capacity Poljud Stadium will be Sylvain Legwinski.
However, the French midfielder believes the hugely-expanded Champions League has devalued the UEFA Cup.
''I played in the UEFA Cup many times with Monaco and Bordeaux, reaching the semi-finals with Monaco in 1997,'' he said.
''But the Champions League means it's not like it used to be.
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