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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Hearts starting team to face Fiorentina named as Robbie Neilson makes huge Lawrence Shankland call

Robbie Neilson has named the Hearts side he hopes can cause a major upset in Florence.

The Jambos faithful are out in force in Italy for a big Europa Conference League away day as they look to send shock waves in the section with a big result in the backyard of the Serie A outfit. One point separates the two sides in second and third place in the group ahead of this matchday four clash.

Tonight's hosts picked up a 3-0 win over Robbie Neilson's men just seven days ago at Tynecastle with the capital club reduced to ten men early in the second half after Lewis Neilson was handed a straight red card. Fiorentina netted after just four minutes and the Jambos never fully recovered as they slumped to defeat.

READ MORE: Hearts handed UEFA fines as two incidents on Europa Conference League duty lead to punishment

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Speaking ahead of the big game, the Hearts gaffer said: “We had a decent flight and we’re looking forward to the game.

“We’ve had some great European results over the years, but we know that we’re coming up against a great team. It’s going to take everything from us to try and get something out the game, but it’s exciting for us.

“It’ll be difficult for us over here, but I think we need to try and apply some more pressure higher up the pitch. The other three teams in this group are very tight, so there’s a lot at stake for everyone.

“I wasn’t happy with the performance last week because we didn’t press them in the way we would have liked. Tomorrow night will be a different kind of atmosphere in a new stadium; one that’s a lot more open.

“We’ve got thousands of Hearts fans coming over who I’m sure are going to make a lot of noise."

HEARTS XI: Gordon, Atkinson, Kingsley, Cochrane, Halliday, Devlin, Haring, Grant, McKay, Forrest, Humphrys

Subs: Stewart, Clark, Koimourtzoglou, Shankland, Sibbick, Henderson, Smith, Pollock, Tait

READ NEXT:

- Kilmarnock 2 Hearts 2 as Jambos fight back to secure point - 3 things we learned

- Hearts manager Robbie Neilson gives his verdict on Craig Gordon's error in match

- Nathaniel Atkinson explains Hearts wondergoal and how he dreamt of finish like Rugby Park screamer

- Hearts 0 Fiorentina 3 as Serie A side show class, Gordon's 20 year anniversary - 3 things we learned

- Scotland Euro 2024 draw in full as Steve Clarke's men come up against Spain from pot 1

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