McKinna is wishing the Reds all the best as they prepare to face Gamba Osaka in the Champions League final - and the Mariners will be able to claim an assist if the Reds lift the trophy.

Adelaide had been due to face the Mariners in the A-League on Saturday but McKinna's men agreed to postpone the match in order to assist United's preparations for next week's ACL final second leg.

McKinna told au.fourfourtwo.com: "We're hoping that when the A-League fixture takes place (three days after the second leg) that'll we'll be able to take advantage because they'll still be hungover from the celebrations.

"It was the right thing to do and we wish them well."

Central Coast will begin their own Champions League journey early next year and McKinna, while focusing on the immediate task of earning A-League points, knows players can't exactly escape the current excitement generated by Adelaide's adventure.

He said: "Obviously it's something to look forward to and the boys can see on television the type of situations they might find themselves in and it can really put people on the map."