Robbie Neilson has vowed that Hearts will go for the jugular against FC Zurich as they look to book a £3million Europa League group stage place.
The Gorgie club are trailing 2-1 from last week’s first leg in Switzerland ahead of Thursday evening’s return tie at a sold-out Tynecastle.
Hearts have the consolation of dropping into the Europa Conference League group section should they come up short.
But the Jambos’ gaffer insists they intend to press from the first minute against the Swiss champions.
He said: “We have to use the atmosphere to our advantage. Away goals don’t count so it’s a straight shootout.
“We’re a goal behind so we have to take the game to them.
“I would expect them to try to manage the game and hit us on the counter-attack because they’re very good on the counter. We need to make sure we cover that but we’ll have 20,000 fans here and they’ll want to see us perform.
“We want to make sure we start the game well
“We gave up a few chances over there but we also created a number of chances so it’s going to be a tough game.
“We have to make sure we’re set up defensively but also a threat and we’ll put quite a few attacking players out to try and win the game.”
Neilson insists games like Thursday and a guaranteed three further group stages matches are a reward to the fans who have stuck by the club through thick and thin.
He added: “It’s probably the biggest driver for us all at the club, from the playing staff, coaching staff, out of any fans in the world they probably deserve it most than any because they put their hands in their pocket and saved the club.
“Last week was brilliant just to see the fans over in Switzerland and hopefully the ones that could not make it enjoy it.
“We’ve got another three trips away and three home games and we’ve certainly earned it.”
