Shelbourne open talks with Linfield manager David Healy

Ironically, that’s against either Nõmme Kalju or Healy’s Linfield.

The Estonians will take a 1-0 advantage to Belfast from last night’s first leg.

Linfield faced Shels twice in last year’s European campaign, losing both ties as Shels reached the league phase for the first time in their history.

Former Northern Ireland striker Healy has been at the Linfield helm since October 2015, delivered six league titles, two Irish Cups and four League Cups over his decade in charge.

Interest from the former Leeds United, Sunderland and Rangers forward, who scored winners against England and Spain during Euro 2008 qualification, has arisen during his spell.

He was close to joining Scottish Championship outfit Raith Rovers in 2024 before withdrawing his candidature and Dundee looked to approach him about their vacancy last year.

Linfield managed to keep hold of their boss on both occasions, extending his contract until 2028, but it’s understood the terms of his deal allow the 46-year-old to discuss approaches with other suitors.

That’s believed to have begun with Shels but no firm job has so far been tabled.

The Reds have been surveying several candidates but the likelihood is of them making an appointment ahead of their European adventure.

U20 manager Lorcan Fitzgerald was placed in temporary charge following O’Brien’s dismissal, overseeing a draw against Sligo Rovers and victory over Dundalk.

Even though they received a bye through the Conference League first round, like all of Ireland’s European participants, Shels have no league games this weekend.

Next up is an FAI Cup trip to Kerry on Friday before they kick off their European crusade.

Healy spoke glowingly about the League of Ireland’s rising stock around the Shelbourne ties last year, highlighting the benefits of having an entire full-time Premier division.

“The gap between the leagues is big,” he said about the difference in the Northern league.

“I don’t know how big but you look at how Shamrock Rovers did in Europe last year and Shels are there now.

“People will say our league should be full-time, whether the opposition at times can be a little stronger to prepare you for games like this?

“Drogheda United won the FAI Cup last year and moved to full-time whereas I understand some clubs in our league can’t afford to do that.

“The bottom end could fall out because lots of players are born and bred into this league, the mentality of part-time football, semi-professional football.

"So, if you start wielding the axe and basically saying everybody has to go full-time, you'll lose some good players because financially it's not adequate for them to just be a full-time footballer when they have a second job - which potentially pays more.

"And then of course, the club situation, how do clubs pay for full-time players, a full-time environment?

“It's impossible to do that without the help of government bodies, which again, here, is hard to do."