Derry City defender Ally Gilchrist has unfinished business with Lithuanian side FK Riteriai in Europa League

When the Candy Stripes were paired with the Lithuanian outfit in yesterday’s draw in Nyon, it brought flooding back memories of the Scotsman’s debut match for St Johnstone in July 2017.

Gilchrist was handed his first ever start for the Saints in their Europa League clash against the Lithuanians who went by the name of FK Trakai.

Managed by Tommy Wright, St Johnstone lost 3-1 on aggregate as the Lithuanians recorded just their second ever victory in European competition.

Strangely Gilchrist will make just his second European appearance against the same team as Derry travel to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, for the first round qualifier on August 27th next.

And while he’s determined not to make the same mistake and underestimate the opposition, he’s delighted to have the chance to rectify that shock loss three years ago.

“It was a weird one when I saw the draw,” admitted the City centre half. “I only noticed afterwards that they were the same team. I think they’ve changed their name.

“When I played against them I think they were called FK Trakai so it was a bit of a weird one.

“We didn’t do too well against them when I was at St Johnstone, so it could be a sign to put one back against them now.”

That St Johnstone side included experienced League of Ireland players, Alan Mannus and Graham Cummings and Gilchrist recalls the Scottish outfit were looking past the Lithuanian opposition going into the game.

“I remember we underestimated them quite a bit to be honest. I think we went into it thinking it would be a handy one but they had a couple of star players at the time. It was their two strikers who both got moves out of their performances.

“They went on a bit of a run in the competition after beating us but they were quick on the counter. I don’t want to chance my luck but defensively they weren’t great. They got a man sent off in both legs too. We should’ve done better in those games.

“But the silly thing to do would be to underestimate them again. They are a bit of an unknown going into this one so we just need to be at our best and look to win the game.”

Riteriai play at the LFF Stadium in Vilnius, a 4G pitch which Gilchrist believes will suit Derry’s style of play.

“I remember it was absolutely roasting when I was there,” added the Scotsman. “It’s the national stadium they play in as well and it’s an astro pitch so it will be similar enough to the Brandywell which hopefully will suit our style of play.”

The Lithuanians currently sit bottom of the six team A Lyga with a -17 goal difference after 14 games but Gilchrist isn’t reading too much into the form book considering Derry’s inconsistent start to the Airtricity League campaign.

“We haven’t had the best of starts either so they could be looking at that too. We need to be on top of our game and hurt them in the areas we are strongest.”

However, the defender has plenty of confidence Derry can progress to the next round and views it as a favourable tie.

“Definitely it is a winnable tie. It’s the one out of the three of them we would’ve preferred in terms of having a chance to get a result. We’ll be looking to win the game and hopefully we can do it.”