TNS pinpoint Graham Burke threat ahead of 'game of chess'

The New Saints are braced for "a game of chess" against Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Conference League this evening, with visiting boss Craig Harrison highlighting Graham Burke as a particular threat to their ambitions.

Welsh Premier League outfit TNS come to Tallaght Stadium buoyed by a 2-0 home defeat of Astana that proved they are capable of getting results at this level.

Harrison was also thrilled with how they acquitted themselves in a 2-0 loss to Fiorentina, but he expects a massive test in Dublin, with the Hoops in good nick themselves following their Burke-inspired 4-1 hammering of Larne.

Stephen Bradley may have seen the Hoops' league title aspirations fall short, but the dream of making the knockout stages in Europe is still on, even more so if they can turn over TNS.

It's a clash both teams will feel they can win.

"They've got threats all over the pitch," said Harrison.

"Certainly attacking wise they've got some very good players. The one that would be easy to say would be (Graham) Burke.

"Obviously he's come from a very, very high standrad. He played across in England in the Championship with Preston, but there's also very good players all over the pitch.

"It's going to be really tough. You've got really good attacking players playing an attacking style, their wing-backs are really wingers and try to pin the opposition back. It's a challenge we're looking forward to.

"From a physical and a tactical point of view it's going to be a very interesting game. They play the type of football we like to play ourselves. It could be almost a game of chess when it comes down to it."

One man familiar with League of Ireland terrain is Josh Daniels.

The 28-year-old played for Derry City from 2014 to 2017, before moving to Glenavon,