CRAIG'S SUPER SAINTS MAKE EURO HISTORY

THE New Saints manger Craig Harrison spent the weekend mugging up on Aberystwyth Town, who face his side at Park Hall on Tuesday night, but very soon he will have to shift his attention to some slightly better opponents.

- Rob Cole

Not that Harrison, who led TNS to their 16th JD Cymru Premier title last season without losing a game, will be taking this week’s domestic challenge lightly. After all, the Cymru Premier is the gateway to Europe and some unbelievable riches.

After eight games in three different Uefa competitions this summer, the Welsh champions sealed a place in the Conference League group phase – the first Welsh club to reach the any group phase in European competition.

Their reward, over and above a cheque for Euros 3.94m, is to find themselves drawn in a pool with Serie A giants Fiorentina, who have been the runners-up in the Conference League for the past two seasons.

Add in top-tier Swedish outfit Djurgarden, Astana from Kazakhstan, League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers, Greek Cup holders Panathinaikos and Slovenian champions NK Celje and TNS players and fans face an exciting build-up to Christmas this year.