IT'S 18 years since Steve Bruce last sampled the delights of European football as a player at Manchester United.
The heady days of winning the Champions League title had not yet arrived, but the memories of those glorious nights at Old Trafford and on the road at the glitterati of European football were still to be cherished.
A Cup Winners Cup and Super Cup medal taking pride of place at home, the memories have two nice pretty accompaniments.
They are memories 16 years of management have not suppressed. Ask Bruce about those times and the glint in his eye and the smile on his face speaks its own story about a period the 53-year-old will cherish forever.
"When you're finished playing, the things you remember are playing in Europe," explained Bruce.
The days of pulling a shirt on and going into combat with Europe's best may be beyond Bruce, but a first foray into management on the European stage is providing an opportunity to rekindle a love affair with European competition.
"I've been fortunate to have some great nights in Europe, but also some disappointing ones," added Bruce.
"I remember getting beat 4-0 in Barcelona in front of 120,000 fans waving handkerchiefs.
"It's just a wonderful experience for us all to enjoy the road, going to different countries and sampling different cultures and playing against some very good teams."
There's no disrespect being levied the way of tonight's opponents Lokeren, but there's no escaping the Belgian side are a bump in the road for what Bruce hopes will be a path that takes them alongside Europe's elite.
Such names as Inter Milan, Sevilla, Feyenoord and Lyon may lie in wait in a group stage that brings with it the promise of six further European games.
Six more chances for City's fans and boss to carve out more special memories in these glory days of the club.
It's obvious who Bruce would like.
"The San Siro. That is the ultimate," explained Bruce.
"It's for the players, the club and the supporters more than anything, to go and have a night out at the San Siro.
"No disrespect to Lokeren, where we are now, but that's the aim and that's where we want to be in the next round, if we can. I've never played at the San Siro, but I have been there."
Not only has he been there, Bruce would love to walk back to the famous Italian stadium and lead his Tigers team out against the European champions.
To have any chance, a route past Lokeren has to be safely navigated first and that will be no easy feat.
Bruce has had Lokeren watched closely, the players are prepped and the message is the Belgian cup winners who finished fifth in their league last year will provide a much sterner challenge than AS Trencin, who almost ended the Tigers' European dream at the first hurdle.
A fact Bruce admits would have been traumatic.
"At the time (when City were trailing to Trencin) I was just thinking about getting an equaliser.
"But I was under no illusion because we were still in the middle of pre-season," said Bruce.
"Thankfully, the two games in Europe stood us in good stead for the league campaign and we got a good result at the weekend.
"We'll be better again physically, and we'll need to be because they're a good side – well organised, well drilled and all know what they're doing.
"It would have been awful to go out with a damp squib. The worst thing that could happen is going out at the first hurdle."
Thanks to Sone Aluko's goal with 10 minutes to go, City did survive in the Europa League, extending their journey to Belgium this evening.
Bruce is confident the experience of their two legs with Trencin have provided an ideal platform, not just for Europe but for City's early assault on the Premier League.
"We've got a bit of experience and knowledge now. We've got to approach it like we did with QPR on Saturday. We're away from home. We've got to be patient, that's the key in Europe," said Bruce.
"In my experience you can think you're going along with it very nicely then the roof caves in.
"There's nothing in the game and then you find yourself a goal down and it all changes.
"Patience is the name of the game. To score would be terrific. To get a goal away from home is a huge advantage."
