Robbie Neilson insists Hearts have zero intention of requiring a European safety net as they attempt to navigate a Europa League play-off against FC Zurich.
The Tynecastle boss is adamant the consolation of a place in the Europa Conference League which would come with failure hasn't been given any consideration. A first-leg clash with the Swiss champions tonight at St Gallen's Kybunpark comes before a winner-takes-all second-leg in Gorgie next Thursday and Neilson believes he's only got eyes for a Europa League place and not it's wee brother as they make their continental return after a six year absence.
Neilson said: “I say it all the time - when you play with Hearts you’re expected to win every game. Our fans expect us to come here, put a performance on and win the game. If we do that we get into the Europa League, that’s what we’re aiming to do.
“Then it will be the same when we go to Parkhead on Sunday, and again next Thursday.
“So we’re not going ‘Let’s try and get a draw, let’s give ourselves something to play for at Tynecastle', we want to win the game.
"It's about coming here to win but we are under no illusions that we are playing against a very good team. They are the Swiss champions and have international players. We are away from home and at a different venue so it's going to be tough.
"We think we have a good group here and we believe if we give it our best shot and bring our best game then we think we've got a chance."
The Swiss champions have taken a meagre two points from their opening five Super League games but Neilson is reading nothing into a tie against a side which comprehensively saw off Irish side Linfield by 5-0 on aggregate in their previous qualifier and would have preferred a far greater turnout than the expected 6,000 fans who will be inside a stadium which can hold 20,000.
He said: “We look after ourselves, we concentrate on our own club and make sure we develop and this is another step forward for us.
“Two years ago we were playing in the Championship having been demoted. We had to then get promoted, to reach the top six, we’ve made Europe, now the next stage is to qualify for the Europa League.
"I'd have preferred a full house. When you come away from home in Europe you want to experience it and that includes the big atmospheres. We have players who are used to playing in that. They play at Tynecastle where there's regularly 20,000 and a big atmosphere. We have players who go to Easter Road, Celtic Park and Ibrox and I think the players play better in it.
"I'd have preferred a full house but there's going to be six thousand and will just have to deal with it.
Hearts have been boosted by the recovery of defensive duo Alex Cochrane and Craig Halkett who picked up knocks in a weekend win over Dundee United and Neilson is adamant his team are more than ready for their first European challenge since 2016 when they lost a Europa League qualifier to Maltese side Birkirkara.
He said: "Everyone has travelled and everyone is available. The only one is Beni Baningime but he's long term. Josh Ginnelly's back, Kingsley's back and the guys who picked up wee knocks on Sunday are fit as well. Everyone is in a good place at the moment."
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