The New Saints boss Mike Davies is hoping his side can take the Champions League qualifier with Anderlecht in their stride.
Davies has enjoyed a hugely successful foray into management having taken over the reins from Andy Cale, the Saints’ beating Irish champions Bohemians 4-1 over two-legs.
Anderlecht now lie in wait for the men from Park Hall at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground this evening, (7.45pm), and Davies is keen to see his side enjoy the ocassion.
“We want to go out there on the pitch and just keep things going the way we have done so far,” he explained.
“In anyone’s book, Anderlecht are a great club and I will be hoping my players really lap up the occasion because days in football like these do not come around too often.
“We will try to take it all in our stride and try to enjoy ourselves because we haven’t really got too much to lose.
“We will just have to go out against Anderlecht and try and surprise a few people again.”
Davies, who was in attendance as Anderlecht warmed-up for the third round qualifier with a 1-0 Super Cup success over Gent on Saturday, is confident his team can produce another spirited performance.
Saints’ have a strong mix of experienced campaigners, in former Wales and Wrexham defender Steve Evans and ex-Chester City man Scott Ruscoe, and young exciting prospects in Chris Sharp, son of Everton legend Graeme, and John McKenna.
“The one thing that can’t be faulted in my squad is the attitude of the players,” he admitted. “What I ask from them they give me, and that’s the most pleasing thing.
“We will go out against Anderlecht determined not to let anyone down. We want to do Welsh football proud and that starts with us making sure that we do not let ourselves down.”
Bangor City boss Nev Powell has paid tribute to Welsh Premier League administrators as his side prepare for their Europa League qualifier with Maritmo in Portugal.
The Citizens progressed to the third qualifying round courtesy of 2-1 win over Honka Espoo at The Racecourse last week, Dave Morley and Chris Jones netting in the final five minutes.
Former Connah’s Quay manager Powell, who saw his side qualify for Europe as a result of a third consecutive Welsh Cup triumph, was delighted with the win and believes it is proof that Welsh Football is improving.
The new-look ‘Super 12’ has had its doubters since the idea was proposed by the FAW, but Powell has given it his full support.
“It's a great night for the club and for Welsh football, all the hard work Andrew Howard and John Deakin have done the last few months is bearing fruit,” he
explained.
“There’s been some knockers of the league, but I think it’s a proud night for Welsh football overall and a lot of people deserve a lot of credit, none more so than the players in that dressing room.”
The two-legged affair saw ex-Wrexham attacker and top scorer Jamie Reed, who is playing in Australia for the summer, miss out, while former Nomad Craig Garside failed to overcome injury.
However, Powell believes team spirit more than makes up for any absentees.
He added: “There’s no stars at Bangor, they're all on a par and you don’t need rocket science to see what a team spirit we’ve got.”
Gary Hooper sealed his £2million move to Celtiv yesterday and the former Scunthorpe hitman could come into contention for the first leg of Celtic's Champions League third qualifying round clash against Sporting Braga tomorrow.
Celtic are able to add one player to their Champions League squad for the match in Portugal up to 24 hours before kick-off.
Celtic’s new boss Neil Lennon has been busy this summer, signing Mexican striker Efrain Juarez and Wales international Joe Ledley.