Harrison targets history as TNS eye group stages

Craig Harrison played for Middlesbrough, Preston and Crystal Palace

Manager Craig Harrison has urged The New Saints to grasp the chance to make history when they take on Petrocub in the Europa League third qualifying round second leg on Tuesday (18:30 BST).

If they can overcome a 1-0 deficit from the away leg, TNS will become the first Welsh side from the domestic leagues to move beyond the qualifying rounds to the group stages in a European competition.

Aggregate victory against Moldovan champions Petrocub would guarantee TNS European football until Christmas.

Success against Petrocub would see the Welsh champions would go into a play-off for the group phase of the Europa League.

Even if they lost the play-off, TNS would enter the group stages of the Uefa Conference League.

As he looked forward to probably the biggest game in TNS' history, Harrison said: “The language I have used towards the players is, it's arguably the best opportunity.

“It’s a big game yes, there is pressure, but it’s the biggest opportunity for TNS and I think it is the biggest opportunity for Welsh football full stop.”

The Saints felt aggrieved by their defeat in Moldova, after a long-range deflected shot gave Petrocub their slender advantage.

“I think we had one or two better opportunities than they did. Yes we will have to be good but I don’t think we will have to play any better than what we have played before. That is a positive in my mind,” said Harrison.

Having led TNS to their 16th Cymru Premier title terms - and their 11th in 13 seasons - Harrison added: “I think its just the thing playing for TNS.

"It is what it is, you are under pressure every single game. If TNS draw a game it’s like getting beat and if we get beat it's disastrous.”

Danny Redmond has been at TNS since 2018

'The games you dream of playing in'

Experienced defender Danny Redmond is relishing the prospect of another European occasion.

“When you come to TNS and play in Europe, these are the games you dream of playing in," the former Hamilton Academical player said.

“Hopefully we can take this one step further and get to the group stages. That will be a massive achievement for myself personally and for the club and Wales itself.”

Redmond is the son of Steve Redmond, who clocked up more than 600 league appearances mainly for Manchester City, Oldham Athletic and Bury, but did not experience a European adventure like this one.

“It's good to get one over on him," Redmond junior added. "But he obviously played at a high level for Manchester City.

“He wants me to do well, get as far as we can and hopefully we can do that.”

TNS are assessing the fitness of defender Josh Pask, who missed the first leg with a knee problem but may be cleared to return.