Kilmarnock 1 FC Copenhagen 1 (1-3 agg): Instant reaction to European exit

Derek McInnes' side are out of the Europa Conference League after their play-off defeat.

Kilmarnock emerged from their two games against FC Copenhagen with plenty of pride, but unfortunately, no more European football this season.

The Ayrshire side were held to a 1-1 draw at Rugby Park, meaning the Danes ran out 3-1 winners on aggregate.

Here’s our instant reaction to the burning issues…

Close but no cigar

Ayrshire’s finest gave a great account of themselves, but Denmark’s most successful team proved to be a bridge too far for Derek McInnes’ side to get over. The Scottish Premiership’s current bottom-placed side fought valiantly across the two legs, but ultimately came up short against a team littered with full internationals - Kevins Diks of The Netherlands, Mohamed Elyounoussi of Norway and Rasmus Falk of Denmark just to name a few.

Marley Watkins’ first-half tap-in allowed us to dream, but a gutsy first half wasn’t enough to produce a famous comeback under the lights. For as solid and encouraging as the team was before the break, they looked a yard off the pace in the second half. Whether that was down to Copenhagen going up a gear or two, or if it was Killie not being quite up to the mark is hard to tell. Maybe it was both.

Kyle Vassell forced Nathan Trott into a decent stop at his near post on 49 minutes, but that aside, the visitors controlled the second half and deservedly got themselves back into the match, forcing Lewis Mayo into an own goal via Elias Achouri’s ball flashed across the six-yard box.

Kieran O’Hara was a big part of Killie’s half-time lead. The keeper denied Viktor Claesson and Kevin Diks with two outstanding saves, showing outstanding reflexes. Had Victor Froholdt not fluffed his lines when pulling the trigger on 13 minutes, then the night may have been a tad more settled for the Danes.

Killie provided stern opposition and was always competitive in a tie that was heavily weighted against them. No £4m prize money for the club to reach the league phase, unfortunately.

It’s been some ride

Planes, trains and automobiles. From Belfield to Bruges, Troon to Tromso and Catrine to Copenhagen, what a journey it’s been. Kilmarnock’s European tour for 2024 is over after tonight’s defeat. Of course, it’s disappointing to be out of the competition at the qualifying stage, but if truth be told, Killie came up short against a better side.

And there’s absolutely no shame is losing to a team of Copenhagen’s pedigree, or Cercle Brugge for that matter.

Those who made three trips, two trips, one trip or none at all, we all have memories to last a lifetime from the experiences both home and away. It’s a shame there will be no more for the time being, but if these three qualifiers have done anything it’s whet the appetite for more European football. I’m sure the manager and players will feel the same way.