IF one man can mastermind a magical European night for Cefn Druids it's boss Huw Griffiths.

The Ancients' boss is famed for his hard work, attention to detail and acute tactical knowledge, which often sees numerous formations used within a single game.

Druids fly out to Lithuania today with Griffiths working on a plan to help the Welsh Premier League side get past FK Trakai, who hold the advantage as a result of their away goal in last Thursday's 1-1 draw at Park Hall.

Experienced defender Neil Ashton, who made his Europa League debut last week, has nothing but praise for Griffiths, saying: "He's one of the best I've worked with.

"I would like to have worked with him on a full time day-to-day basis.

"He studies the opposition in great detail and the hours he puts in show how much he cares about what he's doing."

On life under Griffiths, the former Wrexham full-back, continued: "Huw is a man of few words. He doesn't bang on for the sake of it or waffle for no reason, so when he speaks you listen as he talks a lot of sense.

"He's been great with me. I'm the oldest player in the squad at 33 and he understands I can't do everything the lads that are 18 or 19 can, so from that point he's fantastic.

"He treats you like his own son. He's respectful and always asks how you are and how your family are.

"He's a genuinely nice block and he has a lot of respect in football."

James Davies created history for Druids as he scored the club's first-ever European goal in last week's first leg of the preliminary round, before Trakai hit back.

Striker Ashley Ruane, who helped Druids qualify for Europe, has signed a deal with Colwyn Bay.

Bay boss Alan Morgan said: “We needed someone like Ashley to play on the shoulder and hopefully we can create chances for him because he will always score goals."