Head coach Neil Critchley says Hearts face a ‘real test’ against Cypriot side Omonoia at Tynecastle Park on Thursday night, but admits the Jambos are in good spirits and the focus is on the men in maroon.
The new man in the dugout had his first taste of Tynecastle on Saturday as the men in maroon defeated St Mirren, but now Critchley will experience a European night under the Tynecastle lights, something that can be very special.
However, he admits tomorrow’s opponents are a good side, despite a surprising defeat in domestic action at the weekend.
Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, Critchley said:
“It’s a real test. If you watch the game that they played at the weekend, nine times out of ten they’d win that game. They were the dominant team, so we’re not fooled by that defeat. They’re a strong team. Very successful in their league and not so long ago, they drew with Manchester United, so we know the task we’ve got in front of us, but we’re off the back of a good win and a good win away in Europe as well.
“I know from watching them that they’ve got some good players. They’ve got some really exciting attacking players. They like to dominate the ball and if you look at the background to some of their players, what they’ve achieved, we give full respect to who they are, but for me coming in, we always concentrate on us, how do we improve and get better. Respect the opponent but come Thursday night, it’ll be down to work and it’s about us and how we play. We’re at home, so we have to use that to our advantage.
“We want to be a club that’s in Europe and competing against the best. You see today, how the ground is being prepared, it feels different. There’s a special feeling about it. I’m sure the supporters are excited by it.”
You can watch Neil’s press conference in full on Hearts TV.
