THUN THE RIGHT TRACK

HEARTS star Jose Goncalves reckons his new club can follow the FC Thun route to success.

The 20-year-old only joined the Jambos last week but has already discovered a squad ready to battle on every front.

The Jambos will take on Inverness or Partick Thistle in the last eight after their 3-0 defeat of Aberdeen at the weekend.

They are also on course for at least runners-up spot in the SPL - and leaders Celtic will be growing nervous at the top despite their eight-point lead.

Goncalves made his debut against the Dons in place of flu victim Takis Fyssas and the Tynecastle faithful were clearly impressed.

The feeling is mutual - now the Portuguese Under-21 full-back is determined to deliver success for the fans.

He said: "Hearts have a good future. I don't see why we can't make the Champions League or even win the championship.

"We made the Champions League with FC Thun because we had a team that fought for everything and the squad at Hearts is similar."

Swiss shock troops Thun stunned Dinamo Kiev and Malmo in the qualifying rounds before making the group stage.

In the end they missed out on the last 16 after finishing third in their section behind Arsenal and Ajax but Goncalves is keen to return to the big stage with Hearts.

Goncalves also admits he loved his first taste of Scottish football after playing in the Swiss league.

He said: "The atmosphere during games at FC Thun was not as good as it is here as there were only ever 5000 fans watching.

"Hockey is the No.1 sport in Switzerland but here it is football and it's very good for players to play in atmospheres such as Tynecastle.

"I enjoy the Scottish league because it's a hard game and you have to fight every second, which isn't like the football in Switzerland.

"It's also great to hear the fans singing my name. I was pleased with my first game and now we have another home draw in the quarter-final. We can go on and do well in this competition."


Taken from the Daily Record