TNS are 'alien' to us, but are no mugs, we'll need to be at our best to win, warns Airdrie captain

Airdrie captain Adam Frizzell admits TNS are ‘alien’ to his side, but warns they’re no mugs as he bids to get his hands on the SPFL Trust Trophy on Sunday.

The Lanarkshire side go toe-to-toe with Welsh champions The New Saints at the Falkirk Stadium, and Frizzell warns they will have to be on top form to return with silverware.

Frizzell and his team-mates are hoping to bag their first Challenge Cup win in 16 years, and in doing so end the Cymru Premier champions’ unbeaten run this season.

It’s also an opportunity to prevent TNS from becoming the first Welsh side to lift the trophy.

The former Kilmarnock and Dumbarton midfielder was impressed with TNS’ 1-0 semi-final win over League One champions-elect Falkirk back in February.

And he said: “It’s a big test, and it’s a team people don’t know much about but, judging by their past results, they’re no mugs.

“They ran over the top of Arbroath and then I watched the game against Falkirk, and was very impressed by them against a very high-flying team who you’d say are now Championship pedigree, the way they’ve ran away with League One.

“It will be a tough game, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.

“It’s hard to pinpoint who are favourites, because they’re so alien to us, but we are definitely confident, going in.

“I think if you look at the budgets of the two clubs, I think TNS would definitely be favourites.

“But we know we’ve got players to trouble them, as I’m sure they will us, so it will be an exciting game.

“As captain I would be absolutely over the moon to win it. I don’t think Airdrie have won the cup for over a decade now, so if I can get my hands on that trophy it will mean a lot to me.”

Airdrie go into the game on form, having beat basement side Arbroath 5-2 to