Saints not distracted by Anderlecht but focused on Bohemians Tie
UEFA Champions League, Second Qualifying Round, Second Leg
The New Saints (0) v Bohemians (1)
Park Hall Stadium; Tuesday, 20 July; 19:00
The New Saints boss Mike Davies says they will not be distracted by thoughts of facing Anderlecht when they seek to overturn a deficit against Bohemians.
The Welsh Champions trail their Irish rivals 1-0 from last week's Champions League qualifier first leg, but have home advantage on Tuesday night. Belgian giants Anderlecht await the winners in the third qualifying round and if the Saints triumph, they will face the Belgians at the Racecourse, Wrexham next Tuesday (7:45).
"It's an exciting tie but we've got to get over the next hurdle first, we're not going to look at that," he said.
"Obviously it would be a fantastic occasion for us to go into, but we've got a big job to do on Tuesday so that's the main focus at the moment."
Saints, who are based in Oswestry, will need to produce their first victory in eleven years of European competition if they want to progress, having narrowly lost the first leg in Dublin to Killian Brennan's header.
While Killian earned the headlines for Bohemians, it was their 20-year-old striker Patrick Madden who caught the visitors' eye at Dalymount Park.
Saints have made a formal approach for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 cap, with Saints managing director Mike Harris saying the Welsh champions could be a good stepping stone for Madden.
"I'm sure that Paddy Madden could play at a much higher level in the English system and that we could provide an ideal shop window for his talents," Harris told the club website.
"With my contacts at Chelsea, Leeds and other clubs we could help Paddy to move on to greater things in the game, if that is what he wants, and also provide Bohemians with a sell-on clause if we can do business."
However, Bohemians would be loathe to let Madden go - especially after he was voted the Airtricity/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Player of the Month for June.
Bohemians boss Pat Fenlon said his players are prepared for a tough test on Tuesday and they are taking nothing for granted despite their lead.
"TNS gave us a tough game in Dublin already and the return match will be no different," Fenlon told the Bohemians website.
"In the Champions League you never get an easy draw and TNS showed everyone that they are a good side, the game the other night was end-to-end and this one might well be the same.
"I think anyone who watched the match would agree that there wasn't much between the teams and we are under no illusions that it will be a difficult game for us."
