Robbie Neilson admits he is relishing coming up against 'very famous' Fiorentina under the lights at Tynecastle in what he has billed as 'huge' for the club.
Hearts welcome the Serie A outfit to the capital as they bid to cause a shock in their Europa Conference League meeting. The Italians have only picked up one point in the opening two games and know they need a win to spark their qualification hopes. However, the Jambos could put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack in their hopes to qualify with a famous result.
Neilson knows his troops have to bring their best game to stand a chance in what he has described as a tough task. But victory over RFS in Riga has given his players the belief they can compete at this level and he can't wait for the big kick-off in Gorgie.
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Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Hearts boss said: "It’s a massive game for the football club. To have a very famous Serie A club come to Tynecastle under the lights is huge for us.
“We know that we have to bring our best game. It’s going to be a great spectacle and one that we’re very excited about. Tomorrow is a game where we’d like to get three points. Everyone is available except from Halkett, at the moment.
“I think Riga was a hugely important win for us. It had been a long time since the club had won a European game. To pick up three points is massive because it gives us a lift going into the next games. It gives us the belief that we can compete at this level.
“It’s going to be tough. Fiorentina are very aggressive in the press. Italian football, over the last number of years, has changed quite a bit. It’s gone from catenaccio, sitting in and defending, to throwing themselves forward and being so exciting to watch.
“It’s up to us to find a way to combat that. We’ve been working on a few things, and hopefully we can take something from the game.”
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