Potential Ajax and Besiktas ties the motivation for Shelbourne and Bohemians

Alan Reynolds arrives before the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round first leg match between Bohemians and Ballkani at Dalymount Park. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

Glamour Conference League ties against Ajax and potentially Besiktas will be the motivation Shelbourne and Bohemians possess to protect leads in Thursday’s away second legs.

Whereas Shels look assured of their third-round berth against the Dutch giants, having racked up a three-goal buffer heading to Nõmme Kalju in Estonia (5pm, Irish time), the slenderest of margins separates Bohs and Ballkani.

Second half goals from Douglas James-Taylor and Ross Tierney at Dalymount Park last Wednesday turned the tie in Bohs’ favour at the midway point but the Kosovans will fancy making their home advantage in Pristina count (7pm).

Awaiting the victor in the next round is the loser of the Europa League qualifier between Besiktas of Turkey and Denmark’s Midtjylland.

With Dalymount not reaching Uefa’s venue standard for that level, Bohs may return to the Aviva Stadium base they secured on a temporary basis for their last European campaign in 2021.

“We have given ourselves a good platform with the win last week but we know it’s a very tight lead and everyone is aware that we are up against a really good side,” says Bohs manager Alan Reynolds, who has a fully fit squad to pick from.

“Ballkani are at home, have a lot of experience at this level so there is an expectation on them to come at us – and we fully expect that.” HNK Rijeka bring with them a 1-0 advantage to Derry City (6.30pm), with a clash against Swiss outfit Lugano awaiting the winner in round three.

Croatian international Toni Fruk, just back from the World Cup, scored the solitary goal in the opening leg and is reportedly subject of €12m transfer interest from Premier League newcomers Hull City and Ajax.

Derry’s squad is also well-stocked with quality and on their second bite at progression, having been knocked out of the Europa by CSKA Sofia, are capable of giving the faithful at the Ryan McBride Brandywell something to cheer.

“Rijeka’s playing budget is €9.5m, CSKA's was €13.5m, so there are definitely levels in European competition,” noted Derry manager Tiernan Lynch.

“There’s no doubt they're a good side but, as I keep telling our players, so are we.

“You can't win a game in the first 20 minutes but you can lose a game in the first 20 minutes.

"We've got to feel our way into this a little bit, ensuring we stay in the game. If we score, Please God in the 80th minute and it goes to extra-time, then we’ll take that.”