There can no longer be any argument that the appointment of Derek McInnes has been transformational for Kilmarnock as a team, but what he has managed to bring into the club in terms of finances could be just as significant.

McInnes will lead his side into the second round of Europa League qualifying tonight against Cercle Brugge at a packed-out Rugby Park, and his mind has been chiefly focused on how his men can upset the odds and get a result that would give them hope of progressing further in the competition.

Making such memories for the fans is his top priority, but he also takes satisfaction in the fact that by getting Killie into Europe, he now has the potential to generate more revenue for his club than they may ever be able to domestically, even if he goes on to deliver silverware in the coming seasons.

“We can make some proper prize money from this,” McInnes said.

“That aspect of it doesn’t go unnoticed from us.

“We’ve already made some money in qualifying for Europe. But now there’s the chance of proper prize money for the club. It’s an exciting time.

“It’s the type of prize money that for a club it would be difficult to generate that in Scotland even winning the cups. So, we’re well aware of the kind of benefits of getting to the group stages.

“A sold-out Rugby Park, do the maths…it’s good money coming in.

“But it’s more than that, it’s generating a feel-good factor. It’s generating a lot of interest in the club.

“In terms of getting to the group stages, it would be hugely significant for the club in terms of trying to step forward.

“Any money brought into the club is always badly needed for clubs like ourselves.

“Two and a half years ago when we took over – no disrespect to Queen of the South – it was a horrible game down there in January. Hardly anyone was there.

“So, two and a half years on to have a fixture like this to look forward is great and shows how far we’ve come.

“Everybody connected with the club has played their part.

“Now we’re here, we want to have a go at it and try to win it.”

As Killie fans know all too painfully well, European qualifiers at this point of the season have been littered with tales of Scottish clubs being undercooked and underwhelming as they have often exited these competitions before they have really got going.

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McInnes believes though that his players are ready for the challenge posed by the physical Belgians, even if he does admit to a little bit of concern around the make-up of his backline. A bid to bring Corrie Ndaba back to the club is still live, but certainly won’t be concluded in time for him to take any part in this tie.

“We can’t be responsible for embarrassing results in Europe, but in terms of my own team, this is a game where we hope to win and we put that pressure on ourselves to win,” he said.

“Brugge are seeded for a reason, they trade in millions of pounds and trading at a level where we can’t if you actually look forensically at where their players are coming from, the money invested.

“But we’ve been put in the same round for a reason, and we feel we have more than a fighter’s chance.

“I think looking at the lads, and I’ve got to know them really well over the last wee while, it feels as though we are ready for it now.

“The friendlies have served their purpose. Are we going to be as ready as we are going to be further on in the season? Of course not, but neither will Brugge. They will improve as they go along, as we will.

“It’s a real test for us, but a test that I think we can show we can deal.

“We are a bit short of defenders and I hope that doesn’t come back to bite us.

“We could have taken a number of defenders, but we were trying to wait for the ones we wanted rather than taking who was available.

“That puts us under a wee bit of scrutiny, but hopefully we will get a bit of good fortune.”