TNS boss Craig Harrison hopes homework pays off against Airdrie in cup final

TNS boss Craig Harrison has done his homework on Airdrie, and hopes his side now pass the test in Sunday’s SPFL Trust Trophy final.

The Cymru Premier champions go toe-to-toe with the Diamonds at the Falkirk Stadium to see who leaves with the trophy.

TNS can become the first Welsh side to win the trophy, or it will be in Airdrie’s trophy cabinet for the first time in 16 years.

Gateshead-born Harrison, 46, has been up for some of Airdrie’s games, and feels he’s seen enough to know what to expect.

Former Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace defender Harrison said: “We know quite a bit about Airdrie. We’ve been to watch them live three times, between myself and my assistant manager, Christian Seargeant.

“We’ve got access to Wyscout [football platform] so we know quite a bit, we’ve got footage of all their games this season.

“We’ve managed to get eyes on them in three of their games in the last five, so we’ve travelled up to Scotland to watch them.

“We’ve done all we can, I think, regarding our due diligence and homework.

“I expect a battle. There have been a lot of clubs invited into the competition from the first round, and to get to the final you’ve got to be a very good team.

“Airdrie are a very good team, they’re top half of the Championship, with some very good young players and a bit of experience in there as well.

“They have a young player-manager there who has done a fantastic job, so we expect it to be a really tough game.”

The New Saints are chasing a world record of games undefeated this season – hoping to catch or exceed Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, who have 28 – and a quadruple of trophies.

They already won the Nathaniel MG Cup and the Cymru Premier, and after Sunday’s final they’re up against Cardiff Met in the Welsh