Watch Kilmarnock v Cercle Bruges & follow Valur v St Mirren - BBC Sport (2024)

We are under way in Reykjavík.

A Cercle Bruges corner is well punched away by Robby McCrorie. That'll settle him.

Back up the other end of the pitch, another two Kilmarnock corners come to nothing. End-to-end at the minute.

Relevant score update for you...

Full-time result: Go Ahead Eagles 0-0 Brann (first leg)

If St Mirren are to make it through then they will face the winners of that one.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland in Reykjavik

St Mirren fans have waited 37 years for a return to European competition and they are soaking up every moment here in Reykjavik.

I've met fans this week who remember vividly their last European tie - a defeat to Belgian side Mechelen in the 1987/88 Cup Winners' Cup - but for many more this is the first taste of Europe in their lifetime.

The Paisley side were allocated 200 tickets but there are many more in the ground and they are making one almighty racket.

Kilmarnock have looked bright as Kyle Vassell gets in behind again.

A corner is then won by Joe Wright but comes to little.

Rory Loy likes rain.

Someone have a word.

Rory Loy
Former Dundee striker on BBC Sportsound

The [Cercle] diehards are over, maybe around 1,000. They're making a lot of noise. Some had their tops off before the game, but then the rain started and the tops were back on.

I like it when it rains in Kilmarnock, it makes for better football. The ball moves a lot truer.

Kilmarnock think they have a penalty within the opening minutes!

Danny Armstrong goes down and the referee points to the spot. But no, he then he changes his mind.

Oh, okay. The ball had gone out of play just before with David Watson. Good call.

Third in their league standings with a game in hand, Valur are five points off leaders Vikingur Reykjavik and two points behind Breidablik.

Valur defeated Albania's Vllaznia 6-2 over two legs in the previous round, despite having been held to a 2-2 draw at home in the opener, and last featured in European competition early in the 2021-22 season.

In all, they have scored 48 goals in their last 15 outings - an average of more than three per game - while conceding 25.

Away we go at Rugby Park.

Kick-off in Iceland will follow in 15 minutes or so.

Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes tells BBC Scotland: "We spoke early in the week about the occasion and the supporters' response to both games - selling out both legs. That's absolutely brilliant and shows what football can do for the whole town and the community.

"I haven't made too many changes base on efforts last year. We've made two signings, only Will Dennis and Corrie Ndaba aren't here. The players deserve to take part in this stage.

"Both teams, at this early stage, won't be at their best. We accept that. The tie is over 180 minutes and players are still searching for fitness, it'll stretch the game."

The heavens have opened in Ayrshire as the players emerge from the tunnel at a bouncing Rugby Park.

Almost time...

Stephen O'Donnell
Former Kilmarnock defender on BBC Sportscene

Kyle Vassell leads by example. The work rate, the physicality he brings, the endeavour, and he can chip in with goals too.

They'll miss Marley Watkins and maybe have to change shape, but Vassell is a top striker and top captain and he'll be crucial.

Cammy Bell
Former Kilmarnock goalkeeper on BBC Sportscene

Kilmarnock had a fantastic season last year, so consistent.

Rugby Park was a real fortress, they only got beat five times here in 20-odd games.

They know they have to take something to Belgium to have any chance of progressing.

These players will be so up for it tonight.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "It's been a long wait, fans have been through tough times of ups and downs. They must enjoy these moments.

"Credit has to be given to the fans. This is not easiest place the he world to get to, especially when there's a limited number of flights and tickets.

"People have gone to extremes to get here, flying through Doha and places like that.

"We just hope we can put on a performance that merits their dedication.

"We come very well versed, there's no surprises, good travel, climate and food. We don't come here with any excuses.

"It's a good surface, the artificial pitch won't be an issue for either team.

"Valur are 14 games into their season, they've got some very technical players, they're very well coaches and have players that can win matches.

"We're hoping to do the fans proud tonight, we appreciate their dedication and hopefully everyone can enjoy the occasion."

I'm going to assume this is Keith Lasley's first football-related trip to Iceland since he captained Motherwell in an infamous European defeat to Stjarnan a decade ago.

The former midfielder gave away three penalties over both legs in a mad nine-goal tie, which the Icelandic side won 5-4 on aggregate.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland in Iceland

St Mirren's European tie against Valur is the culmination of everyone at the club's hard work, says chief operating officer Keith Lasley.

"It's been a long time coming," he told BBC Scotland.

"[We got] a couple hundred tickets and you see from the stadium itself, it's not the biggest obviously, so it was a challenge because there was a lot of demand.

"There's just a real enthusiasm around the club and Paisley and I think there is a real buzz. We expect to have a really strong and vocal travelling contingent and I'm sure they'll back the players to the hilt."

Hopefully this gives an idea of the calibre of opposition Kilmarnock find themselves up against tonight...

So I had a look at transfermarkt.co.uk earlier, a site that gives rough market values for pretty much any player you can think of.

Cercle Bruges striker Kevin Denkey, who scored 28 goals in 39 games last season, is valued at 16m euros. He starts tonight.

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock's entire squad is valued at 9.7m euros.