Robbie Deas has heard plenty of chatter about team-mates getting to experience European football - and he reckons the potential to get that chance was a key factor in signing with Kilmarnock.

The 24-year-old joined the Ayrshire club in the summer and they could seal a European spot this weekend if they defeat Hearts at Rugby Park today and Dundee fail to get the better of Celtic on Sunday.

Deas arrived from Inverness Caley Thistle and heard plenty about the Highlanders’ battle with Romanian outfit Astra Giurgui nine years ago.

Current team-mate Liam Polworth was an unused substitute in both games and has since sampled European football with Motherwell, while Marley Watkins and Gary Mackay-Steven also have continental experience.

He said: “One of the main reasons I signed at this club is that I knew the ambitions. To play in the Premiership was one of my goals and another was to play in Europe. Hopefully, I can fulfil that towards the end of this season.

“It’s an exciting time and there’s a buzz around the place. Not just with the players, but with the fans as well.

“They [at Inverness] used to tell me stories all of the time about winning the Scottish Cup and playing in Europe. Some of the coaches were still there. Aaron Doran as a player.

“That [Mackay-Steven] gets spoken about in the dressing room. And his goals. Everyone else talks about it.”

He added: “It’s just one of these things not many people can say and I think it should be everyone’s dream to play in Europe.

“It’s an experience for fans as well, obviously, it makes your family proud, which is one of the most important things.

“I am thankful I am here and how well we have done which has given us an opportunity to go and potentially do it if we get the job done.

“There’s been plenty of highs and lows at the club in recent years and I think we are heading in the right direction, that’s pretty clear.”

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