FANS' CHIEF HOPES FOR EASY ROUTE

By Ronnie Esplin, PA Sport

Hearts fans will happily forego glamour opposition in their first venture into the Champions League as long as they progress, according to the secretary of the Hearts Supporters' Trust Derek Watson.

The Edinburgh club take on Siroki Brijeg at Murrayfield next Wednesday in the first leg of their second qualifying round clash before flying out to Bosnia-Herzegovina the following week for the return game.

An exit at this stage would leave the Tynecastle side out of Europe altogether but winning through to the third qualifying round would ensure at least a place in the UEFA Cup if they should fall at that hurdle.

Watson said: "I'm not disappointed by the draw at all, my thoughts are the easier the opponents, the better.

"The main thing is to get through this round because it means we will still be in Europe regardless of what happens in the third qualifying round.

"So it's an important game for the club. I don't know enough about Siroki but on paper we should be capable of beating them because we are the seeded team.

"Hopefully we will take a two or three-goal lead over there for the return game.

"Then, looking at the seedings for the third qualifying round, there are some big names that people will have heard of.

"The debate among the Hearts fans is that some want a glamour draw against Liverpool, Arsenal or Ajax whereas others want a draw that gives them the best chance of qualifying through to the group stages.

"The fans are split on that although personally, I want a team that makes it easier to get to the group stages.

"But first we have to get through this round."

The first-leg tie will be played at Murrayfield because the Jambos believe Tynecastle, with its 17,000-plus capacity, is not be big enough to cater for all the fans who want to watch their favourites in Europe.

A healthy crowd of over 18,000 turned up at the home of Scottish rugby to see Hearts beat Spanish side Osasuna 2-0 in a friendly on Wednesday night.

Watson is hoping the decision to change venues is vindicated next week when the Bosnians visit.

He said: "There was a good crowd at the friendly and I think most of them will go to the qualifier against Siroki.

"Bearing in mind that a lot of people just won't pay to go to friendly matches then I think we can get around 25,000 for the first leg.

"That's the target we have to aim for, I think, and I'm confident that we can achieve it."

Taken from sportinglife.com