Jamie Hamill reckons Hearts can still earn their Euro spurs - if they learn from the side that was given a lesson by Tottenham 11 years ago.
The former Tynecastle defender was part of Paulo Sergio’s team that was thrashed 5-0 by the Premier League giants in Gorgie in the 2011 Europa League play-off dubbed the Battle of Britain. A torrid evening in which he was handed the unenviable task of stopping Gareth Bale lives long in his memory.
But Hearts took advantage of Harry Redknapp resting his big stars in the second leg and restored some pride with a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane. Now, with Robbie Neilson ’s side needing two big results starting with the visit of RFS on Thursday, Hamill insists the Jambos must still believe they can defy all odds and catch Fiorentina in the second Conference League Group A qualifying spot.
Beat RFS as they did in Latvia last month and hope the Italians fail to do the business against leaders Istanbul Basaksehir and then it will be game on in the final matchday when they head to Turkey. That’s when Hamill reckons Hearts - currently four points off Fiorentina in second spot - could benefit with the Turkish side likely to rest their main men having already qualified.
He said: “Hearts won’t be writing this off. It could be something as simple as Istanbul sending out a shadow team in the final match that could work in their favour. Obviously they have to deal with RFS on Thursday night first which is not a gimme by any stretch and hope that Fiorentina don’t beat Basaksehir.
“If that happens then it’s all to play for in the final match - and Hearts would have taken that when the draw was made. Just look at what happened when we played Tottenham. The tie was over after they beat us 5-0 at Tynecastle. They rested their big stars in the return leg and we got a result.
“So never say never. It’s a tall order though. European football - even in the Conference League - is a level above. The Spurs game proved that.
“It was billed a Battle of Britain and the build-up to the first game at Tynecastle was exceptional. On the night everything clicked for Tottenham. They knocked the ball about well and were clinical in the final third as well as defending well.
“I was up against Gareth Bale - that was a task in itself! He scored one and was a class act. Even his shirt eluded me at the end. I ended up getting randomly drug tested straight after the game so was sitting trying to pee for 45 minutes when the Spurs boys were swapping jerseys!
“They had Jermain Defoe in his prime, Rafael van der Vaart, Aaron Lennon, Niko Kranjcar, Michael Dawson .. it was a tough night let’s just say that. But we went down to London for the second leg and both sides rested some players, although Spurs handed a debut to a certain Harry Kane and he’s gone on to do not bad.
“I never played that one but the boys dug in for a draw and restored some pride. That just shows what can happen. But first Hearts have to deal with RFS.
“It’s an incredible group really when you think about it. Fiorentina and Istanbul have real quality in their squads and it’s incredible for Hearts to even be playing against these teams. But win on Thursday and the dream might still be alive, that’s all you can ask.”
Neilson doesn’t have his problems to seek with Craig Halkett, Kye Rowles, Liam Boyce and Beni Baningime among the crocks in a bulging Tynecastle treatment room Saturday’s thrilling 4-3 defeat to Celtic made it six games without a win. But Hamill, now manager at Stranraer, insists injuries can never be used as an excuse.
He said: “I’ve watched Hearts a few times this season. Results haven’t always been what they want. But Robbie has a good group of players there.
“Managers don’t like making excuses for their team. I’m a gaffer now too. When there’s injuries it just means other players have to come in and stamp their authority.
“But I’ve got to say the absence of Craig Halkett and Kye Rowles at the back has been hard on this Hearts team. They are two massive players. It’s important the big players come back soon. A victory on Thursday could really kick them on domestically too.”
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