Pressley warns of hostile reception in Athens

HAVING played there for Rangers in a Champions League qualifier in the mid-Nineties, Steven Pressley has warned Hearts to expect a hot reception if they win through to meet AEK Athens in the final stepping stone to the group stage of Europe's elite club competition.

Pressley recalls having to take an armour-plated bus to training in 1994 such was the vociferous nature of the Greek side's fans. The atmosphere inside the ground was equally intimidating, remembers the Hearts captain.

Yesterday's draw for the Champions League third qualifying round offered the Tynecastle club the chance to meet AEK who finished runners-up in Greece last season. Hearts, of course, must first overcome Siroki Brijeg and will defend a 3-0 lead in the second-round, second-leg tie in Herzegovina on Wednesday.

AEK now play their home games in the Athens Olympic Stadium - venue for this season's Champions League final - but still pull in crowds of around 50,000. "We've still got business to take care of [against Siroki] but it's a very exciting draw," Pressley said. "I remember with Rangers we had to turn up for training in an armour-plated bus because of the hostile supporters, but I think it's the type of atmosphere players revel in. They're a very good side but we've definitely got the opportunity to progress."

If Hearts qualify, the first leg will be at Murrayfield on 8 or 9 August with the return in Athens on 22 or 23 August.
AEK Athens factfile

Founded: 1924
Ground: Olympic Stadium (75,000)
Honours: Greek champions 12 times, Greek Cup winners 13 times
Coach: Lorenzo Serra Ferrer
Star player: Trianos Dellas, the former Roma defender and hero of Greece's Euro 2004 campaign, has returned to Athens and will be a huge influence.
Record v Scottish clubs: played 2, won 2 (v Rangers in 1994; and v Hibs 2001)