Scottish striker Tam McManus is hoping to fire Derry City to European glory this evening (6pm).

The Candystripes face CSKA Sofia and McManus, who scored City’s crucial away goal in the last round against Skonto Riga, is hopeful he can be the hero again in the Bulgarian capital.

“We know it’s going to be a very difficult game for us, obviously the Skonto game was tough, but this is going to be another step up again in quality,” declared the former Hibs frontman.

“We have to go to Sofia and keep it tight and try to nick a goal and to be honest that will be our game plan.”

Unfortunately for the Candystripes they go into this evening’s clash on the back of a poor run domestically, which has seen them fall virtually right out of the title race as they have dropped a massive ten points behind champions and leaders Bohemians.

In fact City have only picked up a single point in their last four league games.

However, McManus expects a different City side to take to the field tonight.

“A lot of the boys were struggling in the Cork game last Sunday, because all of us to a man worked our socks off against Riga in the match before,” he added.

“In fact Stephen Kenny brought in a few fresh faces for the Cork match.

“Hopefully we’ll have a full team out for tonight and go and give it our best shot.”

With Sammy Morrow still out for a number of weeks, the Glaswegian along with Mark Farren, Tommy Stewart and youngster Aaron Nash are the only recognised centre-forwards at the club, so McManus knows he will have to step up to the mark.

“Having not played for a few months before I signed for Derry, I was behind my team-mates in regards fitness, but I feel I’m getting fitter and fitter and the more games I get the better,” he said.

“With Sammy out injured that may mean I get more minutes on the pitch, the manger rested me on Sunday against Cork even though I wanted to play, but I’ll be ready for tonight.”

Only a fortnight ago the Brandywell faithful travelled to Latvia to cheer their side onto a fantastic score draw against Skonto Riga and credit to the loyal supporters — around 100 have made the trip to Sofia.

Having spent over £300 to make their way to Sofia, duo Hugh Curran and Kevin McDaid are basking in the Bulgarian sunshine.

“I didn’t get to Riga a few weeks ago because of work, but the minute I knew we were playing CSKA Sofia, I booked my flights before we had even got into the next round,” admitted McDaid.

“The weather has been brilliant the sun is shining and it’s around the mid 30 so it’s like a wee holiday for Derry supporters.

“If we could get a positive result that would make the trip even more special.”

For Curran, a Brandywell Pride supporters club member, he too is looking forward to the game this evening.

“So far it has been a fantastic trip and if we could get a positive result and keep the tie alive for the match at the Brandywell next week, then that would make our Sofia experience even better,” he said.

“The Derry fans I have met so far have been their usual self, making friends with the Bulgarian people and Sofia fans.”