THREE Rijeka players The New Saints will have to keep tabs on

After the Welsh Champions win over Europa on Tuesday they will now face Croatian champions Rijeka in the 2nd qualifier round of the UEFA Champions League.

The New Saints edged past Gibraltarian Champions in the first leg, winning in extra time and will now find a trickier task of playing Croatian champions Rijeka over two legs.

The first leg is next Tuesday in Rijeka with a 19:45 local time kick-off, with the return leg at Park Hall the following Tuesday.

With The New Saints set to take on the Croatian champions for the first time, TNS need to be wary of these danger-men.

Alexander Gorgon

The Austrian international has made 25 since his move from Austria Wien in 2016, scoring 12 goals in the process.

He missed a penalty on his Rijeka debut in a 0-0 draw with HNK Cibalia, but later became one of the most important players for his side.

He was part of the squad that won the League and cup double last season, and was the club’s second top scorer with 12 goals. TNS will be hoping his name won’t be the score sheet over the two legs.

Josip Elez

The former Croatian youth international was signed from Lazio on a permanent deal in 2017, having being a mainstay in the victorious 2016-17 side.

Elez started his career with his hometown club NK Solin, before moving to Croatian outfit Hajduk Split. In July 2013 he moved to Serie A side Lazio for 400,000 euros, but spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Hungarian sides Grosseto and Honved. The following season he moved to AGF in Denmark. The following season he moved to Rijeka on loan, and then signed a three year contract with the club, tying him until 2020

Like Gorgon, he was part of the side that won the double in 2016-17

The Rijeka captain has 75 appearances under his name, since joining the club back in 2013 from Lokomotiva.

Males began his career with his hometown club, Sibenik, before joining Hadjuk Split in 2007.  He then sgined a five-year-deal with Dinamo Zagreb. After only two matches, he was loaned to Lokomotiva and signed a three-year-contract with the club in 2010.

Males has made a total of 8 appearances at youth level for Croatian, before earning his first senior international cap in 2014 in a friendly at Switzerland, replacing Luka Modric. Although, due to an injury, he missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

He won the double with Rijeka last year.

(Featured Image: Michael Kranewitter)