Ryan Stevenson believes it's time for Hearts to ditch the 'accidental tourist tag' in Europe as they gear up for their Europa Conference League qualifiers.
The Jambos exited the competition in the group stages last season after heavy defeats to Fiorentina and Istanbul Basaksehir, and will be looking to better their previous outings last term.
This season however their fourth place finish has left them with four games to tackle before the delights of Thursday night football at Tynecastle, and Stevenson is looking to his former club to learn their lessons from their travels on the continent.
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The 38-year-old, who enjoyed European nights himself back in his playing days with the Gorgie outfit, was speaking in his Record Sport column, as he hoped to see some big scalps from Hearts this time out.
He wrote: "Nothing stops in football and Hearts must have all eyes on Europe. Lessons from last season must be learned. These aren’t just big days out, it’s an opportunity to gain much-needed credibility.
"Hearts went to Fiorentina and the supporters had a great time in Florence but it annoyed me it was just about a great experience. That’s what Mickey Mouse clubs do when faced with the type of challenge that arrived in Italy. It has to be so much more this time.
"As a club, improvements have to be made and strides taken and that’s what I want to see from Steven Naismith and his players when it all starts again in August. It will begin with a Europa Conference League third qualifying round against an unseeded side and if the draw is kind, then it’s all about targeting the group stage.
"That has to be seen as an achievable aim. For far too long Scottish clubs have been nowhere near good enough when asked to perform on the continent.
"We need our teams to start taking big scalps and shed the reputation of being the minnows. When we were hammered by Spurs I remember the talk around those games and the expectation it was always going to happen.
"Where is it written anything is a formality in football? What has to happen for Hearts is they build on last season. It has to become the norm that year on year they are in Europe. More than that, they need to make an impact.
"Sustainability and staying in Europe is the target rather than the notion of it being a novelty and a chance for the fans to have a bit of fun and travel. I’m not saying Hearts approach ties with a Mickey Mouse mindset but I don’t like the perception built over recent decades that it’s a bonus to perform on this stage.
"I know that won’t be the case with Naismith leading the team given the level he’s played at and experiences he’s had. Scottish football has to gain some credibility and Hearts must play a huge part.
"We look for Celtic and Rangers to do well in the Champions League and put up a fight in the group stage, which they both have managed to do on occasion. Below that we have Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs trying to ensure we have clubs credible in Europe and that just hasn’t been the case.
"One of the best nights of my career was scoring twice against Hungarian side Paksi at Tynecastle and being involved in the home leg against Tottenham when we were spanked 5-0. That was as far as the Europa League went for us that season, the only time I played in Europe.
"Europe brings excitement but it’s time to park the accidental tourist tag and start regaining some respect."
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