“We don’t feel inferior to anybody,” he added. “We won’t go on the pitch and surrender possession but we also understand we’re not at the level where we can underestimate anyone and just expect to win convincingly, especially given the rising standards in Europe.

“There’s still very much a game to be won. We have seen the comments from Sander Puri who is an Estonian international. He sees it as a 50/50 tie so you have to respect that.”

Dundalk’s European run in 2016 captured the imagination of the wider public but Kenny said that it wasn’t his club’s ‘duty’ to try and restore some credibility to the League of Ireland after the shambolic events that unfolded in Bray and Limerick over the past week.

“Our duty is to try and progress for Dundalk Football Club,” he said. “They’re two separate issues and I’m not into spin. We’re just trying to evolve ourselves and European football is something we never take for granted.

“It can be a great thing for the players and the club, especially in a provincial town. It really lifts Dundalk and you can feel the energy around the place on a European night. The people take great pride in that.

“We’ve had some unforgettable European nights over the past five years but we’re forging our own identity and we want to create new history.”

Last week’s game in Tallinn was Dundalk’s 21st since Kenny took charge ahead of the 2013 season but for Jamie McGrath, it marked his first start against continental opposition.

The former St Patrick’s Athletic star has been an integral part of a side that has won 14 games in succession but, like his manager, he is taking nothing for granted.

“It’s going to be very tricky,” he said. “It was far from easy over there last week. We were under the cosh in the opening 20 minutes and I think it’ll be the same on Thursday night.