Cian: It's in our hands

Cian Harries is happy that Swansea City Under-23s are masters of their own Premier League International Cup destiny ahead of their crucial clash with Hertha Berlin this evening (7pm).

With only the group winners and two best runners-up guaranteed a place in the knockout stages, the young Swans must win at Landore to remain on course to match the seven points already achieved by Group E leaders Villarreal B.

Having secured a dramatic 1-1 draw against the Spanish side in their opening match, the Swans know only victories over Hertha and Liverpool, who they play on January 24, will do if they are to qualify.

Skipper Harries reckons the Swans must focus on delivering the performances which will give them a chance of getting through.

“Villarreal have played all three of their games and it’s up to us to try to catch up with them,” the 21-year-old defender said.

“We can only do that by producing good performances and turning them into positive results.

“We managed to get a last-minute equaliser against Villarreal so, hopefully, we can build on that and make a positive start to this game.

“It’s in our hands. That’s what you want in a competition like this.”

Harries has also urged his team-mates to respond following Monday’s disappointing 3-1 defeat by Blackburn Rovers in Premier League 2.

“It’s important that we use this game as a platform to bounce back from Blackburn,” he added.

“It wasn’t our best performance of the campaign, but these things happen.

“The crucial thing is how we respond from those setbacks, which we will be looking to do this evening.”