Saints aim to make Europa statement against Imps
HAVING exited the UEFA Champions League in a blaze of glory The New Saints now turn their attention towards the Europa League – and this evening’s home second qualifying round first leg with Gibraltan champions Lincoln Red Imps (7pm).
Scott Ruscoe’s men will certainly be buoyed by their near miraculous comeback against KF Shkendija of Macedonia last week although their emphatic 4-0 win at Park Hall was not quite enough as they bowed out of Europe’s premier competition 5-4 on aggregate.
Swansea City loanee Ben Cabango was one of the scorers for the JD Welsh Premier League champions on what was almost a record-breaking night and he says they can take plenty of confidence from it heading into the tie with the Red Imps.
“I think we’ve got to take the positives from what we did in the second leg,” said the 18-year-old.
“To beat such good opposition 4-0 proves how good we are and I think that we’ve just got to continue to build on the things we did well and continue to improve as we face Lincoln Red Imps.
“I think it is a big bonus for us to be at home first in the tie, because there is a good feeling about the place after the last performance in particular.
“We’re a side that doesn’t concede too many goals nor lose too many games at home, so I think it is good for us that we’re at home first, definitely.”
TNS will be looking to earn a positive result to take to Gibraltar for the second leg next Thursday with the winners facing either Astana from Kazakhstan or Danish outfit FC Midtjylland in the third qualifying round.
Cabango added: “We’re in for another big test in this tie, but if we reach our full potential then I honestly believe we can go really far in the competition.
“We’re a solid team at the back and we have a lot of attacking talent, so why can’t we go far in the competition?”