Having finished highest of the non-European qualifiers in the English Fair Play table, Keegan’s men were given an automatic berth, allowing the current crop of City stars the chance to emulate the greats of the late 1960s and early 1970s, who numbered a Cup Winners’ Cup final win over Gornik Zabrze among their trophy haul.

And while a tilt at the trophy may be beyond his side, Keegan knows the City fans will respond with their usual enthusiasm.

“It’s tremendous, not just for the players but especially for the fans,” Keegan told www.mcfc.co.uk.

“I have already spoken to a number of fans and they are extremely excited at the prospect of watching us in Europe.

“This certainly makes last season a great Premiership return to finish in the top half and to gain a place in Europe.

“I would have taken that at the start of last season.”

City will learn their opponents on June 20 when a home draw will mean their first appearance at their new Eastlands home will be in European competition.

It is unlikely City will initially find themselves pitched into an eye-catching tie and Keegan will desperately be hoping to avoid an uncomfortable trip into Eastern Europe so soon before the start of the new league campaign.

While Sporting Lisbon and Steaua Bucharest are the biggest names confirmed in the qualifying round, neither are likely to face City given the favourable co-efficient of the English teams.

Instead, the Blues could find themselves sent to Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Kazhakstan or Moldova, all of whom will have two representatives in the qualifying round draw.

Keegan will be equally keen to avoid challenges from Sweden, Denmark and Serbia and Montenegro purely to sidestep potential elimination before his side have even made the first round proper.