New Saints refuse to give up European dream

Including qualifiers, Craig Harrison's side have played 12 games in Europe so far this season but are keen for more

The New Saints are refusing to let go of their European dream without a fight, with manager Craig Harrison adamant his players still believe they can reach the Conference League knockout stages.

Those hopes were dented after suffering a third defeat of the group campaign as Tobias Gulliksen earned Sweden's Djurgaden victory in Shrewsbury on Thursday.

It was a performance that again earned the Oswestry-based side credit for being able to compete with sides far above their standing.

Still, having lacked a punch in front of goal, it leaves the Welsh flagbearers outside the play-off round positions with two fixtures remaining - starting with Greek giants Panathinaikos on 12 December.

Having already made history by becoming the first club from the Welsh system to reach the group stage of European competition, TNS are not content in simply taking praise.

"We don't want to let this go," said manager Harrison, whose side's only points so far came from a home win over Astana.

"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.

"It doesn't give us any more points to come close, but it does give us more confidence, and it gives us an opportunity."

It is an opportunity TNS could seize if they can pick up at least one win from their remaining games - with the home game against Panathinaikos and final match against Celje in Slovenia to come.

"It's going to be tough, but we've still got a chance," added Harrison, who believes the narrow defeats against Fiorentina, Shamrock and Djurgarden could help in terms of goal difference.

"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.

"People will write us off again, but the players have the belief."

Captain Danny Redmond echoed his manager's sentiments, saying TNS have used such predictions as "fuel".

He 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.

"We've worked hard to get here, we want to qualify and we know we have to win games."

Captain Danny Redmond (L) said it was disappointing TNS weren't able to "nick a goal" during late pressure

The remaining European games will have to wait with TNS facing a Welsh League Cup semi-final against Barry Town at the weekend, and two further Cymru Premier fixtures to come in a season where the club's domestic dominance has been threatened.

They have already lost four games having gone unbeaten last year, with Harrison accepting the demands of competing in Europe have had an impact on his side's "intensity" in preparation.

Redmond added: "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."