However, that’s exactly what has transpired and victory away to Slovenia’s Celje this evening could prove to be enough to see Craig Harrison’s battling side into the top-24.
That would be enough for qualification into the knockout phase next year for the Saints, who are currently 32nd in the rankings, two points off the top-24.
On the possibility of qualifying for a top-24 spot, Harrison told S4C’s Sgorio: “It’s unbelievable. I think it’s unthinkable, really, when you think about the situation and the draw that we’ve got as well, that’s the thing.
“You know, you’ve got to look at Panathinaikos, Fiorentina, obviously Shamrock was a really tough one and it proves it.
“They’re flying and they won again (last Thursday).
“So, yeah, we’ve had a really tough draw and the so-called lesser teams, Celje are a very good team as well.
“It’s been brilliant, absolutely brilliant. The lads have been fantastic. I can’t speak highly enough of the togetherness and the group and the staff, and everyone’s worked so hard and, yes, you can arguably say, look, we’ve won one game out of five.
“But every game’s been close. We’ve been in every game right to the last whistle.”