Takis goes la la over Hearts

"CHAMPIONS League, la, la, la, la ... Champions League, la, la, la, la."

Okay, so Takis Fyssas hadn't picked up entirely the correct lyrics but his adaptation of a favourite new anthem was rapturously received by Hearts supporters when he bawled it over the PA system on Wednesday evening.

Now the partying can really get underway at Ibrox on Sunday, and will certainly be followed up at Hampden in eight days.

Securing second place in the SPL and participation in the Champions League qualifying rounds next season brings serious relief for all connected with Hearts before a journey to Glasgow that is normally overwhelmed by trepidation.

"Relax and enjoy yourself," is the message from Fyssas, this wonderfully balanced left-back whose form has been as consistent as any this season, ahead of the final match of the season against Rangers on Sunday - a match which many believed would be the Champions League decider but is now rendered virtually meaningless.

In that respect, he was the epitome of the party animal at Tynecastle in midweek as Hearts celebrated their place among Europe's elite and finally brought to an end the 11-year domination enjoyed by the two Glasgow teams at the top of the table.

The last time the Old Firm were denied first and second spot in the table was in season 1994/95 when Rangers were crowned champions and Celtic were forced to settle for fourth place when they were beaten to the runners-up spots by Motherwell and Hibs respectively.

Fyssas is delighted to have finally been able to help break the Old Firm's grip at the top of the table and insists his belief in Hearts' ability to claim second place had never wavered.

"You never stop as a player, as a man, as a sportsman," he said. "You never stop believing and trying for everything. I have given everything for Hearts since I came here and I am very happy that we have success now because I think 11 years is too long for no teams to come between Celtic and Rangers.

"It's very important for Hearts. We are a new team and we have played fantastically well this year. We have held our position in the league and our form and we never stopped working for this goal, that means congratulations to all the players, our coaches, and the president."

However, the left-back is not content simply to rest on his Champions League laurels and insists that this season can be used as the springboard to even greater success in years to come. You would have to presume that he knows what he is talking about in that respect as the defender was played a key part in the Greece side which stunned football supporters across the globe by being crowned European Champions in 2004.

This week, though, the hot topic in his homeland will be Fyssas' achievements at Tynecastle, the player admitting that, prior to his move to Edinburgh, the most the Greek public knew of Scottish football was confined to the goings on at Parkhead and Ibrox. He added: "This is the first step, the next one is the cup final. Finishing second is a massive result for me because I was in Greece, I was in Portugal and I heard about Scottish football. All the time, I heard Celtic, Rangers, Celtic, Rangers. Now look at the league. Look at this club and look at our fans.

"They are very proud now for their team and they are enjoying it. For me, it is very important to give happiness to the people and we are waiting to give them more joy in the cup final.

"When we come back after June we will try to focus on the qualifying rounds of the Champions League because these games are often awkward. It will be difficult to make the groups but in football you never stop believing because if you believe you can have big success.

"I have a great example of this. I was in the Greece national team when we took the European Championship in Portugal - that's why I keep going."

Fyssas signed for Hearts less than a year ago when Vladimir Romanov's dream of bringing Champions League football to Tynecastle was still in its infancy. The fact this resilient group of players he has brought together have since turned that dream into a reality for the major shareholder is nothing short of remarkable.

Stepping out onto the pitch to the strains of the famous Champions League anthem next season is also the perfect response to those who criticised Fyssas for agreeing to a move to Scotland in the first place.

He admits that many questioned his decision to join Hearts, the doubters finding it hard to believe that anyone would be able to release the Old Firm's stranglehold but he is delighted to have proved them wrong.

"All of Greece now knows about Hearts. I am a national team player and my friends there call me all the time because they have heard what we are doing and about our results. When I first came to Scotland they were surprised because they didn't know how good Hearts were, but gradually, game by game, they saw that we have quality players.

"Now, in Greece, everybody will be happy for me and about Hearts. I have to be honest and tell you that this was my secret dream. Inside of me, I said to myself, 'yes, Takis, if everything is okay here and the club is organised good then you can help make something different this year for Scottish football'.

"I am only here one year and we are in second place. That is incredible. If we take the Scottish Cup as well, what else can I say?"

The fact the players have retained their focus to stay the course is no little achievement in itself, having played under three different managers this season alone but Fyssas insists there was never any danger of the players losing their momentum under interim coach Valdas Ivanauskas.

"Valdas is very focused and he knows a lot about football. His training sessions have been first class for us and he has been perfect for us over these last few weeks. Mr Burley and Mr Rix have also done a good job with us and deserve some praise. As for the decisions on the management, that is for our president.

"Mr Romanov can decide what he likes, but we have to play football and keep doing our jobs. Paul Hartley has been brilliant for us recently. He is a fantastic player and is another of our top players, all of whom have contributed something to our team this season to bring this success.

"I am going to celebrate this success with my family but I will be focused for the cup final."

Next weekend's cup final gives Fyssas the opportunity to add his first piece of silverware with Hearts to that place in the Champions League and the Greece international has no doubts as to what he would do with a winner's medal. His baby daughter Rafaela would be the proud recipient, although she may still be a little too young to appreciate it right now but Fyssas is hoping that some of the good fortune he has enjoyed in Gorgie this season will rub off on the youngster.

"She is my whole life now and I cannot imagine life without her. Being a father now makes me understand some of the things my father and mother said to me. Rafaela brings me more inspiration.

"I am not stressed as much any more. I have achieved a lot of medals in my career and I have been very lucky.

"I hope to give my luck to my daughter and this club for next year."

Taken from the Scotsman