The New Saints Maintain European Ambitions Despite Setbacks

Having already participated in 12 European matches this season, including qualifiers, Craig Harrison’s team, The New Saints, remains resolute in their pursuit of further continental competition. Manager Craig Harrison firmly asserts that his players retain confidence in their ability to advance to the Conference League knockout stages. Their aspirations were diminished following a third loss in the group stage, which occurred when Tobias Gulliksen secured a win for Sweden’s Djurgaden in Shrewsbury on Thursday. This display once more garnered praise for the Oswestry-based club, acknowledging their capacity to contend with teams significantly superior in rank. Nevertheless, a deficiency in scoring has left the Welsh representatives outside the play-off round qualification spots with two games left, commencing with a match against Greek giants Panathinaikos on 12 December. TNS, having already achieved a historic milestone as the inaugural club from the Welsh system to reach the group stage of a European competition, are not satisfied with merely receiving commendation. Manager Harrison, whose team’s sole points to date were secured through a home victory against Astana, stated, “We don’t want to let this go,” adding, “We’ve proved we deserve to be here. We’ve played some really strong teams and we are proving that we are not going to be anyone’s rollovers.” He further remarked, “It doesn’t give us any more points to come close, but it does give us more confidence, and it gives us an opportunity.” This is an opportunity TNS could capitalize on by securing at least one win from their outstanding fixtures, which include a home encounter with Panathinaikos and their concluding match against Celje in Slovenia. Harrison also commented, “It’s going to be tough, but we’ve still got a chance,” expressing his belief that the slim losses against Fiorentina, Shamrock, and Djurgarden might prove advantageous for goal difference. He continued, “We will keep fighting. We’re up against sides that are used to being in Europe, big clubs. I think a lot of people wanted us to fail and lose by double figures in some of these games.” Harrison concluded, “People will write us off again, but the players have the belief.” Captain Danny Redmond reiterated his manager’s feelings, stating that TNS has utilized such forecasts as “fuel”. Redmond further added, “We deserve to be here and I think we’ve shown it. We know what we have to do, starting with Panathinaikos who are a great side, but we have nothing to lose.” He emphasized, “We’ve worked hard to get here, we want to qualify and we know we have to win games.” Captain Danny Redmond (L) conveyed his disappointment that TNS could not “nick a goal” despite late pressure. The outstanding European fixtures are postponed as TNS prepares for a Welsh League Cup semi-final against Barry Town this weekend, followed by two additional Cymru Premier matches, in a season where the club’s domestic supremacy has been challenged. The team has already incurred four losses, a contrast to their unbeaten record last year, with Harrison acknowledging that the rigors of European competition have influenced his side’s “intensity” during preparation. Redmond concluded, “We have a massive target on our back. We’re in Europe and our name’s getting around so teams want to beat us, but we will stand up to that and show why we are here. “Nothing changes for us. We will keep fighting.”