Greacen - I absolutely loved Euro experience

Despite being on the wrong side of a 7-2 aggregate defeat to Trabzonspor, Derry CIty defender Stewart Greacen will look back fondly on his first experience of European football.

The big Scot, who has been a mainstay for the Candystripes since joining them in 2010, featured in both games against the Turkish giants, and despite the result, he remained upbeat after losing 3-0 at home in the second leg.

Speaking to extratime.ie, Greacen said: "I absolutely loved the experience. 

"I think the fans were really special. Even when we went behind, the fans got behind us and didn't stop singing throughout. 

"It was a great night, and hopefully it will give us the appetite to get more of those nights for next year."

Having secured two away goals from the first leg in Trabzon, Derry City came into the tie full of confidence, and displayed this in their first half showing.

He said: "The first half performance, I thought we were excellent. We knocked the ball about well and had a couple of half chances, and we were well in the game.

"We knew going into the game that whoever got the first goal would be crucial, and had it been us, it would've been a different game. It knocked the stuffing out of us when they went in front, but I thought we gave a good account of ourselves."

Being such a pinnacle figure in the Derry back-line, Greacen acknowledged his side's mistakes which led to several of Trabzonspor's goals over both legs, but admitted that the difference in class was also evident.

"If you make mistakes against teams of that level, you're going to get punished and that was the difference. That's what happens.

"I don't think the aggregate score of 7-2 really didn't give an accurate description of the tie. I think over the two legs, there wasn't that much of a gap between the two teams, but again, they were ruthless and took their chances when they got them."

With Derry returning to Airtricity League action this Sunday with their first trip to Thomond Park to face Limerick FC, Greacen says that the focus is now firmly on the run-in.

"For now, we're in a cup semi-final, we play Bluebell United in the FAI Cup as well, and we're well in the mix for the league, so there's still definitely a lot to play for the rest of the season.

"We always knew we were never going to win the Europa League, so we always seen this as a few games we could enjoy and give us a break from the league. Certainly, we're disappointed we've been knocked out but we've enjoyed the experience", he said.