Source: Team_Talk
Baird buoyed by Belfast chance
Fulham's Chris Baird is excited at the prospect of a Europa League return to his homeland - should they avoid an upset against NSI Runavik.[LNB] The County Antrim-born defender and his team-mates head into the first qualifying round clash against NSI boasting a 3-0 lead from the first leg at Craven Cottage, with the winner set for a clash against Crusaders of the IFA Premiership.[LNB]While Baird insists the Cottagers will not take NSI lightly, the former Southampton man admits he is buoyed by the prospect of a possible trip to Belfast.[LNB]"It would be nice obviously to get back to Ireland. I don't go back much myself," he told the club's official website.[LNB]"It would be another tough game because I know what to expect from them.[LNB]"It's not easy going away to any team and as I said before we've got the quality in the team and we're getting fit, and we'll be raring to go."[LNB]Baird and international team-mate Aaron Hughes are the only two Fulham players to have travelled to the Faroe Islands before, having faced the national team last October in a European Championship qualification match.[LNB]"It's up on a big hill - it's windy, cold - not the best facilities," he said, speaking of the Svangaskard Stadium, Toftir. "But we have to go there and do the job.[LNB]"You have to treat every team with respect, no matter who they are.[LNB]"It's down to us at the end of the day. We know that we're the better team, with great experience and good players.[LNB]"We have to go there and do the job, get a win and get back home and qualify, getting into the next round.[LNB]"It's nice to see these different places, obviously I've been there before, so I know what to expect.[LNB]"I'm sure for other players it will be an eye-opener because there's not a lot there and not a lot to do.[LNB]"It's going to be short and sharp but we know what to expect, so we'll go there, get the job done and get back home again."
