The New Saints 'have nothing to lose' in Champions League qualifier

The New Saints will attempt to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit in their UEFA Champions League return against Sabah tonight (6.30pm) - with captain Danny Redmond insisting: "We've got nothing to lose now."

Second-half goals from two of Sabah's many internationals, Serbian winger Veljko Simic and Jamaican winger Kaheem Parris, means TNS have work to do if they are to progress from the first qualifying round tie.

The long-serving Redmond has been involved in plenty of big European nights since joining Saints in 2018, including at Park Hall where TNS have an impressive record.

Looking ahead to tonight's game, Redmond said: "We've got nothing to lose now - 2-0 down and a good record at home.

"That's what we want to go and do, go and perform and try and snatch a few goals."

Saints competed well during the club's first-ever trip to Azerbaijan last Tuesday. The game was goalless until midway through the second half when Simic headed home a corner to give Sabah the lead. Simic then turned provider to set up Parris to double the advantage six minutes from time.

"We know the quality of players that they've got," added Redmond. "They're very good defensively, and I thought we defended really well.

"The lads are gutted that we conceded two, but we've got a chance now.

"The gaffer said before he wanted us to stay in the game, and that's what we still are now."

TNS head coach Craig Harrison gave debuts to two of the club's summer signings, defender Dynel Simeu and midfielder Rhys Hughes, who both featured in the TNS starting XI in Azerbaijan.

Two more of the new additions to the squad, defenders Zach Nolan and Isaac Godwin, who was released by Shrewsbury Town at the end of last season, were both on the bench.

Should Saints get the better of Sabah and progress to the second qualifying round of the Champions League, they would play the winners of the tie between FK Vardar of North Macedonia and Kuopian Palloseura, better known as KuPS, of Finland. KuPS were 2-0 winners in last Tuesday's first leg in North Macedonia.

The team knocked out of the Champions League at Park Hall tonight will go into the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round, where they would meet either Flora Tallinn of Estonia or Iberia Tbilisi of Georgia. Last Wednesday's first leg in Estonia saw Iberia Tbilisi win 3-2.