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, Shrewsbury Town and then TNS.
He has an idea of what to expect in Tallaght, though he admits the landscape has changed since his days in the league.
"It's nice to be back," said Daniels. "It's been a long time since I was here. The league has took off since I played in it and really, really grew. We're looking forward to testing ourselves.
"(Tallaght Stadium) was only the three stands when I was last here. I think the last time I played them was at Maginn Park so the Brandywell wasn't even up at that stage, it wasn't redeveloped. It's nice to see.
"Obviously it helps with the attendances. Long may it continue for Irish football.
"Getting through woul be amazing, but no one expected us to qualify. It's been a rollercoaster."
Harrison is taking things as they come and refused to be too drawn on the prospect of his team getting into the knockout stages as one of the top 24 teams in the league.
However he did admit this evening's showdown is critical to both TNS and Shamrock Rovers' hopes of making it through.
"When the fixtures come out and you look at it, and there's opportunities to pick points up... both teams are in reasonably good positions at this moment in time," he said.
"I certainly think if Shamrock Rovers win then they'll be near enough through. If we win then we're a point or two away maybe. I think eight (points) will probably get you into that (last 24), seven might with a good goal difference.
"It's a big game because both teams will feel there's points to gain from it."
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