CARL DARLINGTON believes Craig Harrison has earned the right to manage at a higher level. 

Harrison has led The New Saints to four Welsh Premier League titles in a row and that success has seen the 37-year-old emerge as one of the favourites to replace Kevin Wilkin, who was sacked as Wrexham manager on Monday afternoon. 

Darlington was coach at TNS before joining Wrexham as first team coach in December and he feels the natutal progression for Harrison is to test himself in the English system. 

“It is no surprise Craig has been linked,” said Darlington. “If you look at his record at TNS it has been outstanding, in four years he has won four titles. 

“He has got nothing to prove in terms of the Welsh system, he needs an opportunity at some point to go into the English system; may that be at Wrexham, may that be somewhere else, but he needs an opportunity.” 

Darlington, caretaker manager at The Racecourse following Wilkin’s dismissal, jumped at the chance to test himself at a higher level when he was approached. 

“Kevin gave me the opportunity to come here, I have really enjoyed working with the players and they have reacted well to me coming in as interim manager,” added Darlington. “It has been a positive from my point of view. I was given the opportunity, one day if Craig gets the chance then it is good for him because he needs that next opportunity. That’s if he wants to move out of TNS.”