Larne’s hat-trick hero Andy Ryan says his side showed “grit and determination” when they overturned a two goal deficit to win 4-3 on aggregate against Lincoln Red Imps to progress to the group stage of the Uefa Conference League.

The Gibraltar champions came into the second leg with a one-goal advantage after defeating the Inver Reds 2-1 in Portugal seven days previous, then doubled their lead in the opening 20 minutes of the second leg.

However Ryan’s hat-trick helped Larne write their name in the history book as the first Irish League team to ever make the group stages of a European competition.

“I had visions of it [Larne progressing to the group stages] and the gaffer sold me this dream and tonight this dream came true,” Ryan told BBC Sport NI.

“Character and togetherness, we have that in abundance. Everyone can see we are a good side but we have that grit and determination.”

Ryan, who had never scored in a European fixture before this game, coolly slotted home two spot-kicks and converted a superb pass from Benji Magee to make sure it was the Inver Reds who would progress to the group phase.

“I’d love to put it [the match ball] on my mantelpiece, but my son will be watching back home and I’m sure he’ll be trying to take it!”

Club owner Kenny Bruce took over the then-Championship outfit in September 2017 and has helped stage a massive turnaround with the club transforming from a struggling Championship to back-to-back Irish Premiership champions and history makers.

“He [Kenny Bruce] was here long before I came in and he put the foundations in place and everything was geared towards nights like this,” said Ryan.

“We have got there, we earned it. I would also love some big names, but whoever we do get it is important to enjoy it and also express ourselves.”