TNS won’t go down without a fight vows Scott Ruscoe

That’s the message from boss Scott Ruscoe as his side look to overcome a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Cardiff.

It’s a tall order for the Welsh Preimier champions against the classy Danes, but Ruscoe insists his side won’t go down without a fight at the 12,000 seater MCH Arena in Herning

“You don’t get to this stage in Europe just to lie down, and go out with a whimper,” he said.

“At 2-0, we’re still in the tie and we will give it a good go. It’s only half way. It was no disgrace losing 2-0 to a side like that, it wasn’t the world result in the world. We know it’s going to be tough as the gulf between the clubs in terms of resources is massive.

“But the lads were first class in the first leg, worked hard and didn’t stop to the final whistle.

“I am confident we can score over there with the way we play. We will give it our utmost and have nothing to lose. “We had chances to have got a goal in the first leg as we broke well at times, but were a bit indecisive. You have to take chances in games like this, as it’s fine margins.”

The winners will progress to the play-off round where they will meet Swedish side Malmo who went out of the Champions League on away goals to Hungary outfit Videoton.

Midtjylland, who are owned by Brentford owner Matthew Benham, defeated TNS 8-3 on aggregate when the sides met once before in the Europa League seven years ago.

They have a strong pedigree, being one of the big guns of Danish football, and reached the Europa League’s last 32 in 2016 before being knocked out by Manchester United having won the first leg 2-1 in Denmark.

The Saints warmed up by launching the defence of the Welsh Premier crown by hammering Barry Town 5-1, while Midtjylland themselves won 3-0 at home to Horsens to move third in the Denmark Superliga.

Meanwhile, Estonian striker Kevin Kauber has parted company with TNS after having limited opportunities since arriving at the club back in January.