Neestrup: We got the job done at Kilmarnock

F.C. Copenhagen secured safe passage to Friday's UEFA Conference League group stage draw following a 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock in the playoff second leg.

Lewis Mayo's own goal drew FCK level on the night in Scotland after Marley Watkins had given Kilmarnock the lead.

F.C. Copenhagen's 2-0 win in the first leg means the Lions advance 3-1 on aggregate.

And head coach Jacob Neestrup was pleased to get the job done.

"The first 25-30 minutes were a bit hectic and became very testy while they had intensity in their game, but then I think we showed that we were the best team and we solved the challenges put to us," said Neestrup afterwards.

“We are facing a good Scottish home team, who last season beat Celtic twice and Rangers once, so they're not a team that you can expect to easily beat. But over two games we had to be clearly better than them, and I think we were.

"We are in a period where things do not come so easily to us, but I think that many in Danish football are happy that we have once again lived up to our responsibility by getting into a group stage.

"Last year we also played our worst European games against Breidablik, Sparta Prague and Rakow, and in the Conference League we didn't even have the safety net if we lost a round.

“So apart from the start today, I am satisfied with the effort and the way the players solved the challenge. We even had a great chance, just before they got their rather random goal, which might have put the game on a different course, and before the break we also had great chances to equalise.

"After the break, Elyounoussi hit the crossbar, so the only thing missing was the win. But the most important thing was to progress, and we accomplished that."

Next up for FCK is Sunday's home clash with Brøndby in Parken – the first derby of the season. The match is sold out.

Meanwhile, FCK will be in the pot for UEFA's Conference League group stage draw on Friday afternoon.