The New Saints keeper earns high praise for another heroic European display
TNS' Connor Roberts is the Conference League 'goalkeeper of the tournament' according to his manager - after another heroic display in Slovenia.
Roberts top class saves have kept the Saints in the competition - as they managed to keep their goals conceded to a minimum against the likes of Fiorentina and Panathinaikos.
That goal difference gave them a chance heading into their final game with Celje - but a 3-2 defeat ended their first league phase campaign.
However, the scoreline could have been a heavy one in Slovenia as Roberts pulled off save after save yet again, with two world class stops in the dying minutes.
And his manager Craig Harrison believes he should be in line for a top award following his top displays.
"Connor has made three our four fantastic saves," explained Harrison.
"You have to understand at this level you need a super keeper, and he has been the keeper of the tournament by a million miles.
"We've needed him to stay in games."
It is a sentiment backed up by his team mates, including Rory Holden, who bagged the second goal in the tie and allowed the Saints to dream for a matter of seconds, before they conceded.
"He has been amazing," said Holden.
"All campaign he has made crucial saves, even in the qualifiers.
"He has pulled us out of a lot of holes, and two of them saves tonight are world class, we appreciate having him."
It was a second goal of the campaign for the former Walsall striker, after he scored the second in their memorable victory win over Astana back in October.
The forward expressed his disappointment at twice throwing away the advantage, but believed but for fine margins things could have been very different.
He said: "It has been an amazing experience.
"As a kid growing up you want to play in these things and we've been able to do it. Maybe we wanted to get through as well but it is what it is.
"We're obviously disappointed to go up twice in the game and end with a loss, but the lads dug in and if it wasn't for a worldie save at the end we could have come away with a point.
"I was buzzing to score twice in Europe, it is a dream come true. It was a shock to the system after the goals to concede so quick, but we dug in well and had chances at the end, if they go in we could have nicked a point or even a win."
