What it will take for TNS to reach Conference League play-offs

Filip Duricic was one of nine internationals in Panathinaikos' starting side that faced TNS

Wales' Saints may not need as much as a miracle, but even manager Craig Harrison admits their European future is now in the lap of the gods.

Defeat against Panathinaikos means The New Saints' chances of progressing into the knock-out rounds of the Uefa Conference League are slim heading into next week's final fixtures.

Even that is something of an achievement for a side who had already made history by becoming the Welsh league system's first representatives at the group stage of European competition.

How to work out what will be needed when they face Celje in Slovenia on Thursday will require a lot of scribbled sums and crossed fingers.

But for a side who had pride intact if not points against a Panathinaikos side packed with internationals, that is something not to be dismissed.

"The majority of people would have thought we'd have two or three games left with nothing on it," said Harrison after the 2-0 defeat at Shrewsbury. "It's not a dead rubber. Whatever comes will be."

Harrison at least knows the certainty of next week is that his side have to win.

Their fourth defeat from five games – with that solitary victory coming at home against Astana – means they are two points but eight places behind the last play-off place, currently occupied by Turkey's Basaksehir.

As well as the Istanbul club on five points, TNS only have three other clubs they are able to chase down on six points – including Hearts who host Petrocub in Thursday's final games.

Only one fixture sees two of their rivals – TSV and Noah – face each other meaning it is not inconceivable enough scores go their way.

But it is the Cymru Premier champions' relatively healthy goal difference that is keeping them hopeful; currently on minus four and certain to improve with victory, it is what Harrison hopes could yet sneak them into the knockout phase play-offs.

It means they will have to win, hope a string of results go their way, and pray that the fact they have been in tight contests throughout pays dividends in the group stage's dying throes.

"We're not ruling it out; why would we?," said goalkeeper Connor Roberts. "I couldn't tell you about the points because there's so many teams to look at.

"But we're due a win in this competition, and regardless if we were bottom we still want another win."

Roberts is a former Wales Under-21 international whose European performances have caught the eye

Roberts' performances have done much to ensure TNS have only shipped seven goals from five games, two of which included matches against Fiorentina and Panathinaikos.

He made a string of solid saves against Panathinaikos in Shrewsbury, one from a shot hit so hard it chipped his front teeth, an unpleasant experience but one the former Wales call-up said was worth it for the chance of throw himself into European action against a side that began the game with nine internationals.

"And then I had to chuckle to myself when they brought on a player from the 2022 World Cup team of the tournament (Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi)," laughed Harrison.

"That's the gulf in class we're talking about at this level, but we can be proud. I don't want to get in the habit of being beat and accepting defeat but the performance was a good one, and if we play as we did here we have a chance.

"The lads have a laugh at me for talking about the footballing gods, but if you give everything you've got at some points you get your rewards so we'll keep going."