Rohan Ferguson admits the fact manager Tiernan Lynch is leading Larne into their historic UEFA Conference League campaign is “a win” for all associated with the reigning Premiership champions.

It looked like Lynch, who has guided the Inver Reds to consecutive Gibson Cup crowns, was set for a switch to Scottish Premiership outfit St Johnstone last weekend before ultimately opting to remain with Larne.

They’ll write their name into the Irish League history books this evening by becoming the first to play in the league phase of European competition against Molde in Norway.

Since taking over in 2017, Lynch has helped transform Larne from Championship strugglers to Premiership champions and that incredible rise peaked with progression into the Conference League, which banked the County Antrim club a minimum of £2.4million.

placeholder image — Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson after landing in Norway for their historic UEFA Conference League opener against Molde. (Photo by Pacemaker Press)

Further success would bring yet more wealth – a draw is worth another £138,000 while each victory collects £416,000 with Larne set to take on Molde, Shamrock Rovers, St Gallen, Olimpia Ljubljana, Dinamo Minsk and Gent in the coming months.

St Johnstone ultimately appointed Finnish boss Simo Valakari, who played for Motherwell and Derby County before moving into management, and Ferguson is delighted to still have Lynch at the helm alongside assistant Seamus Lynch and first-team coach Gary Haveron.

"It's a win-win for people at the club (that the manager's staying) but I've got a lot of time for Tiernan and if he'd gone to St Johnstone I'd have wished him every success,” said Ferguson "I'd have been delighted for him but he's staying now and that's a win for me and all the boys.

"What Tiernan's done for Larne has been incredible so far.”

Larne owner Kenny Bruce famously laid out his ambition to hear Champions League music playing at Inver Park – something which became a reality this summer – and Ferguson always bought into the club’s European dream.

"I actually did (think about Europe and success with Larne)...I could see when on loan at Linfield and from Motherwell what the club was doing,” he added. "Speaking to Tiernan he definitely sold me on the club's plans for the future and it's took off as a great move.

"It's massive...when you look at the standard in the competition, clubs like Chelsea and Real Betis - they could be in the Champions League. Getting there has been an unbelievable achievement for everyone and now I think we're just going to enjoy it.”