Carrying a 0-0 scoreline with them from the first leg at Lansdowne Road, Baker said Pat Fenlon’s side had what it takes to snatch a shock victory to send an Irish side into the Champions League group stages for the first time and an estimated €18m payday from six matches against Europe’s biggest teams.

Baker, who left Tolka Park in March to join US Major League Soccer side New England Revolution, said: “I talk to the lads every week and I talk to the manager. From the last game they were telling me they should have won it 2-0. So the lads are saying they have a great chance.

“The pressure’s on Deportivo and if Shels squeeze a goal, it would be super. Then, you never know. It could go to extra time and penalties and anything could happen then.

“It’s great. It’s great for the League of Ireland and it’s great for Shelbourne themselves. It pumps some money into the club and it shows the eircom League is as good as some of the European leagues. And it’s getting better every year. They’re showing we can play with the big boys.”

Shels boss Fenlon is keeping his selection plans under wraps but is likely to make the minimum of changes to the side which held Deportivo in Dublin 13 days ago.

The only possible change is the introduction of former Cameroon international Joseph Ndo to a five-man midfield with Jason Byrne the lone centre-forward and fellow frontman Glen Fitzpatrick making way. Centre-back Jamie Harris has recovered from a throat infection and is set to start.