Scott Ruscoe believes Irn-Bru Cup can raise The New Saints' profile

The Saints will welcome part-time Scottish Championship outfit Dumbarton to Park Hall in February.

Ruscoe, whose side edged through to the last four on penalties against Queen of the South, believes the inter-nation contest is a great chance to boost reputations.

He said: “We start the season challenging for four cups. Obviously the league is our mainstay but the cups are a chance to improve TNS as a brand.”

Northern Irish side Crusaders visit Inverness in the other semi-final. Saints lost at St Mirren at this stage last season.

Ruscoe added: “We hope to go one better than last season, why not? But we won’t be taking them lightly. “The cups make people sit up and take notice. It could be a Welsh versus Northern Irish final this year.

“Dumbarton are part-time but I was just speaking to one of their strikers (at the draw) and they’re a good footballing side.

“They beat Connah’s Quay so we might be asking them for some information. We have Steve Saunders and Jon Routledge that played at Dumbarton the season before last – we’ll get the info, any ins and outs.

“I’ve watched a lot of teams now over the last couple of years and there’s good quality up in Scotland. Make no mistake about it we’ll look at some of their players.”

“It’s a good standard and they may be able to push our squad on like Steve and Jon have.

“We’ve now held our own in Europe and we’re competing against Scottish teams. I’m proud of how we’re progressing and doing.”