Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes is urging his players to embrace the occasion as they look to progress in the Europa Conference League.

McInnes spoke to Scottish and Norwegian media ahead of Thursday's clash with Tromsø at Rugby Park.

The Ayrshire side take on the Norwegians in the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League over two legs.

Killie fell into the Conference League pathway following their narrow aggregate loss to Belgian side Cercle Bruges.

Despite the defeat, McInnes believes that the tie will bring positives for his side as they look to move deeper into European competition. 

He explained: "Cercle Bruges are a level above. I think they'll do all right in the Europa League. We're in the Conference League now against a team I think we can beat.

"For some of my players it was the first time they'd ever been abroad for a game. They're not that familiar with it.

"I think having had the two competitive games will help us. The one big advantage Tromsø have over us is match fitness."

McInnes has called on his players to seize the opportunities that the Conference League provides, and progress past the Norwegians to the playoff round. 

He said: "The last few games is the first time a lot of our players have played in Europe, and I think it's exciting. 

"I reminded them today that this doesn't come round all the time, we've got to try and embrace it. 

"There's a brilliant tie for the winners of this tie ahead, we want to try and be that team. 

"To do that we are going to have to put in two big performances to beat Tromsø, and we've got to deliver that."

If the Rugby Park side can progress over two legs against Tromsø, they will take on either FC Copenhagen or FC Baník Ostrava home and away for a place in the league phase of the competition.