Gary Haveron reflects on 'huge moment' for Larne after setting up 'free' showdown with former European Cup champions
Larne manager Gary Haveron insists sealing Champions League qualifying progression is “a huge moment for us as a football club” – and feels a showdown with former European Cup winners Red Star Belgrade is “a free one”.
The Inver Reds progressed to the second qualifying round of Europe’s premier competition for the first time in their history by beating Tre Fiori of San Marino 3-1 on aggregate – goals from Matt Ridley and Dan Bent helped secure a 2-1 second-leg win at Inver Park on Tuesday.
Alongside setting up a dream clash against a former European powerhouse, the victory has extra significance to Larne with Haveron’s men now guaranteed at least a Conference League play-off as they look to replicate their League Phase achievement of 2024.
"It was all about getting through this tie,” Haveron told the club’s media channel. “We all knew the implications, it guarantees you a play-off game in the Conference League and that was the big carrot.
"We're not overlooking Red Star Belgrade, we'll give them the respect they deserve and go out there and give it our damnedest, but the opportunity to go into Q2, Q3 of the Europa League and the play-off game in the Conference, it's a huge carrot for us and incentive to get through this tie.
"There was no doubt we wanted them and they wanted us when the tie came out, but you've still got to go out and beat what's in front of you.
"I think there's only been one other club that has won a Champions League tie in the new format, so it's a huge moment for us as a football club. It's adding more history of the football club and something we can be incredibly proud of."
Red Star celebrated European Cup glory in 1990/91 and will visit Inver Park on Tuesday before Larne make a trip to the Rajko Mitić Stadium the following week.
Larne will enter as huge underdogs against a team which has won nine consecutive Serbian league titles and played in the Champions League as recently as 2025, but Haveron is excited by the opportunity.
"It's a different challenge and one that we'll have to be ready for as best we possibly can,” he added. “It's a free one for us, there'll be very little expected of us to get out of that game.
"We'll try and be as competitive as we possibly can be, we will use it for good preparation and give it everything to get a positive result.
"To be able to bring a club like Red Star Belgrade to Northern Ireland is magical for our club."