Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Torshavn are currently second in the Faroe Islands Premier League having won 11 from 14 games so far.

Higgins believes it’s “very important” that Derry get their ‘home-work’ done on their opponents and going to watch them first hand is something he’s in the process of organising.

“The plan is for either me or a member of staff to travel to the Faroe Islands to take in a HB Torshavn match before we play them and it’s really important that we do that,” he insisted.

Derry City gaffer Ruaidhrí Higgins is likely to watch their Europa Conference League opponents HB Torshavn in action soon. Picture by George Sweeney

“It’s not like a league game where you know the opposition inside out. It’s really important that we do our homework and try to get through the round and we’ll do everything in our power to do that.”

Ronan Curtis turns down 'heavily reduced' contract from Portsmouth

After going out to Riga at a similar stage in last year’s competition, the Derry manager is looking to progress this season, but he knows Torshavn is not going to be easy.

“Speaking about Torshavn, these teams are a different animal compared to maybe five or six years ago, it’s changed so much,” he explained.

“European football has changed so much and I always use Luxembourg as an example because five or six years ago teams would have seen that as a forgone conclusion but now they’ve a strong coefficient. I’m nearly sure they have a stronger coefficient than Ireland, so it just shows you how things change.

“Before we even think about the next round, we’ve 180 minutes to try and go through.

“However European football captures the imagination and it gives a real buzz and, personally, some of my favourite memories as a player in particular were playing in Europe.

“Also as a coach at Dundalk we had some really successful times as well. So it’s something to really whet the appetite and look forward.

“Financially it’s very rewarding for the club if you can do well in Europe and that’s important as well. We try to think about that as well and not take things for granted. We’ll be looking to see if we can help the club and give the people of Derry something to really get behind in terms of European football.”

Derry City manager Ruaidhrí Higgins set for Faroe Islands trip