Ruscoe eyeing MŠK Žilina win to aid Cymru Premier preparations

Scott Ruscoe believes a strong performance in the Europa League will give his side “focus” going into the 2020-2021 Cymru Premier season. 

The New Saints face MŠK Žilina at Park Hall on Thursday in a one-legged tie behind closed doors. 

The Yellow-Greens finished second in the Slovak Fortuna Liga last season and are currently fourth in the league, having picked up six points from their opening four games, but retain a strong pedigree in European competition.

Pavol Stano’s side have reached the group stages in both the Champions League and Europa League in the last twelve years, facing the likes of Chelsea, Ajax and Marseille.

Ahead of a tough test at Park Hall, Scott Ruscoe said, “We’ve watched all four games of their recent league form.

We know who’s played, where they’ve played and who their star men are. We know what formations they’ve played, what formation they’ll play against us probably, the starting lineup against us, we’ve probably got that as well. 

“We’ve dissected the games, it’s really in depth. I’d liked to have gone over to see them play, but it’s not been viable, not been right to do so.

“We are so prepared that it won’t be to do with leaving any stone unturned if Zilina beat us on Thursday night, they will have been the better side.

“If we stay in the Europa League, it will overlap our league start. I’ll be over the moon because it will show that we’re still in the competition with a chance of progressing and also it will give us a focus on that first game, whoever we’re playing,” he added.

The Saints finished second in the Cymru Premier last season, behind champions Connah’s Quay Nomads, Ruscoe insists the Oswestry-based side are “hungry” to re-gain the title and has hailed his players for their work in an “excellent pre-season”.

Fixtures behind closed doors have included clashes with Barry Town, Wolves U23’s, Bala Town, Ellesmere Rangers, Tranmere Rovers and Liverpool U23’s.

“We’ve been back in since early July. We’ve had the players with the strength and conditioning coach and had a plan of action in what they need to do, what length of running. We’ve been doing zoom circuits throughout lockdown so that’s been planned and that was done well I think, as best we could have.

“The players were very very fit, they looked strong, although they hadn’t played football for four months. Their physical condition was very good so we were able to get the balls out straight away and get back into training again, which was nice to see.”

“We’ve played Bala, we’ve played Barry and obviously just recently we’ve played a couple of other games behind closed doors so we’ve had an extra two weeks on top of what we’d normally have and I think it’s been an excellent pre-season.”

The New Saints have made additions to their squad this summer in the form of versatile attacker Louis Robles from Bala Town, creative midfielder Leo Smith from Caernarfon Town and strong defender Ryan Astles from Southport. 

Ruscoe has praised the attitude of his new signings ahead of the start of their European campaign. 

“They come in every day and work hard, I haven’t heard a moan from any three of them, likewise with the rest of the squad, they’ve been brilliant this year. 

“The togetherness and the application has been fantastic, as good as since I have taken over, I really feel that. They’ve added to the squad in terms of football quality, strength, creating chances, stopping goals, Cymru Premier experience and a technical ability with all of them.” 

“Ryan (Astles) at the back, can build, can play with both feet, can head and switch play. We’ve got Leo Smith in midfield who’s been a breath of fresh air. He hardly gives the ball away, creates and scores goals. Louis (Robles) brings goals, assists and a lot of experience for a 23 year-old.

Ruscoe’s trio of new signings could make their competitive debut for The New Saints in the Europa League clash with MŠK Žilina on Thursday, as the Saints hope to progress in a European tie for the eighth time in the club’s history. 

“We’ll do our best, the Welsh teams will do their best, that’s all they can do with the budgets given and the draws given.”

(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)