Liam Boyce has delivered a Hearts Europa League rally cry ahead of the Tynecastle return against FC Zurich.
Robbie Neilson's men will run out in front of a packed home crowd next week well in the tie and full of optimism following a 2-1 defeat to the Swiss champions last night. Lawrence Shankland gave the visitors the ideal start by smashing a low penalty into the back of the net but the hosts turned the game on its head before the interval.
Hearts striker Boyce was brought on in the final quarter of the match and he admits it is 'all on the line' against FC Zurich in the capital next week. He says the opposition were what he and his team-mates expected and is in 100 percent belief that they can turn the tie around and create a historic night under the lights in Gorgie. On his analysis of the game and looking towards the return meeting, Boyce said: "We've come away from a game against the Swiss champions and we have come away still in the tie. We can now take it home and play in front of our own fans so we have something to look forward to next week.
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READ MORE: Hearts player ratings vs FC Zurich as Swiss champions take slender lead into Tynecastle Euro return
“It was an evenly-contested game at the start, then we get the penalty and it was a great finish from Shanks. For the next five minutes we were passing it well before one long ball over the top allows them in but it was a great finish to be fair.
"After conceding so quickly after that we did really well to see out the rest of the game.
“They had a few chances but it's a good sign that after you concede a couple of goals you keep going on and on so that's a good positive
“Everyone knows at European level that, if you get the second leg at home, you have something to look forward to if you are still within touching distance.
"If we score first next week then the place will be rocking and those are the games you want to be playing in.
“It's all on the line and Zurich were what we expected. Apart from their quick double, I thought we did well. One hundred per cent we believe they are beatable as we also know we didn't play at our best tonight.”
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