EURO MOVE ROARING SUCCESS

VALDAS IVANAUSKAS last night backed Hearts fans to turn Murray field into a Champions League cauldron.

The Jambos have announced all their European games next season will be played at the home of rugby They didn't even apply for UEFA permission to play at Tynecastle, which doesn't meet strict criteria.

Hearts also saw 40,000 fans back them at the Scottish Cup Final and decided the numbers game was more important than playing at home.

Coach Ivanauskas is due back in Scotland on Tuesday night to start pre-season preparations with the first Champions League qualifier to be played on July 25 or 26.

He said: "The fans would probably have wanted Tynecastle but it can only hold 17,000. Murray field is a bigger stadium and we can expect up to 40,000 supporters for these games.

"We've played there before in the UEFA Cup and the players have told me how much they enjoyed the atmosphere."

Hearts, who will discover their opponents when the draw for the second qualifying round is made on Friday, expect demand for tickets to be strong.

The club now boast a record 13,500 season ticket-holders and demand for briefs outstripped supply last season.

Chairman Roman Romanov said: "One of our main considerations has been how we accommodate so many supporters and give them the continuity that is so important when they are planning for our European campaign.

"The facilities at Murray-field are much more appropriate."

Taken from the Daily Record