Mackay backs Levein's men to make it through

MARK BONTHRONE

HEARTS legend Dave Mackay is backing Craig Levein’s players to book a place in the lucrative group stages of the UEFA Cup against Braga tonight.

The former Hearts star, who captained the club to the league title in 1958, was at Murrayfield two weeks ago to see the Jambos defeat their Portuguese opponents 3-1.

Goals from Andy Webster, Paul Hartley and Patrick Kisnorbo have given the Gorgie side a great chance of reaching the next stage of the competition and Mackay is confident they can progress. "I’m almost positive Hearts will go through," Mackay said. "They are solid defensively so it will be very hard for Braga to break them down and score the two goals they need. I think Hearts have done the hardest part already and that was getting the goals. The goal in the last minute at Murrayfield could make all the difference."

And Mackay believes the Hearts support could help swing the tie in their side’s favour. He said: "Obviously there will be nothing like the 19,000 that were at Murrayfield in Portugal but there will be two or three thousand and the noise they make could give the players a big lift.

"It could almost be like having an extra man out there."

Taken from the Scotsman