THE New Saints manager Scott Ruscoe wants his players to use the advantage of a home leg first in their Champions League qualifier on Tuesday night.

Ruscoe’s men have been preparing for the fixture against Kosovan side FK Feronikeli with a handful of pre-season games against teams including Rangers and Shrewsbury.

With the first leg being played at the Venue, Ruscoe hopes his players can make the most of a home tie and get themselves an advantage heading into the second leg.

“If you look at stamping your authority on a tie as a whole, it certainly gives us an opportunity for us to do that,” he told TNSTV.

“Last year we were away for the first tie and obviously we all know how that ended – we let ourselves down.

“At home here we’ve got a very good record, whoever we face.

“I’ll be mentioning that to the players that this is Champions League football but remember that we play here week in week out and we are more often than not the team that looks like they’re going to win the game.”

The Welsh champions will look to progress to the next round by overcoming the Kosovan treble-winning team.

A win across the two legs would see them face FC Copenhagen of Denmark.

Ruscoe is confident the squad can put themselves in a good position before the second leg if they can play at their best.

He added: “It’s going to be a good game.

“Hopefully we can play to our potential – we’re at a good fitness level now and a good stage in pre-season.

“It’s up to the players now to see how much they have taken on board and how much they want it really.”

TNS host FK Feronikeli at Park Hall Stadium on Tuesday (kick off 7pm).