IN WITH A SHOUT

Pat: Noise our fans made was louder than 75,000 Aussie rules crowd Dunfermline v Hearts

By Gary Ralston

PATRICK KISNORBO watched Aussie Rules football with 75,000 fans and the atmosphere wasn't a patch on Murrayfield. The Hearts midfielder was stunned by the noise created by 18,769 fans during the 3-1 defeat of Sporting Braga - the biggest home crowd for the Jambos in a decade.

Kisnorbo hit his first goal in senior football and his vital injury-time strike just made the experience of European football he has dreamed of since hewas a kid and warned off playing the sport in school an even better one.

Kisnorbo, preparing for the game at Dunfermline tomorrow, said: 'They banned us in primary school from playing football because it was too dangerous so we had to play Aussie Rules instead and kids were bashing each other's heads off the concrete.

'I'm still a fan of Aussie Rules and I've been a long to watch my favourite team Carlton, who are based in Melbourne.

'Games regularly get attendances of 75,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but the atmosphere isn't even half as good as the noise created by our fans on Thursday night. To walk out there and hear 19,000 fans screaming was inspiring and gave us such a buzz.

'We got the feeling how much they wanted us to dowell and it was great to hear that noise.

'The atmosphere at Murrayfield was brilliant and I wish I could re-live the moment I scored my goal again and again.

'I've dreamed about playing in European football competition since I wasa kid watching my favourite team AC Milan back homeon television.

'Unfortunately our game wasn't televised in Australia but as soon as the match finished I was on the phone to my girlfriend, family and friends and they were so excited for me.

'We still have a lot of work to do in the second leg but the third goal helps make us a bit more comfortable and if we get through to the group stage we might attract even more fans to Murrayfield.'

Hearts coach Craig Levein admits he was taken aback by the atmosphere created at Murrayfield by the fans but refused to be drawn on playing at the home of rugby in future.

He said: 'I was pleasantly surprised by how good the atmosphere was but the Murrayfield issue has been flogged to death.

'We went into the game with as much trepidation as anyone but the backing of the support really helped.

'The atmosphere also had a lot to with how the team played and had we performed poorly it would have been crap.We've nothing to fear from playing at Murrayfield for European ties if we get through to the group stage - but only half the job has been done.'

Levein has also backed David Hay to lead the Pars from their current form slump and said: 'Davie has nothing to prove to anyone. He has proved time and again how goodhe is as a manager.

'With a bit of patience and backing from the fans at Dunfermline he'll do a great job.'

Levein also shrugged off Hearts fans' fears that he could be tempted to leave if a bigger job comes up.

Hesaid:'I've two years left on my contract here and I'm happy at the club.'