HEARTS WILL FAIL IF THEY GO FOR SAME TACTICS IN PRAGUE

I WAS disappointed less than 10,000 of our fans turned up for Sunday's game against Hearts when we had the chance to go second in the SPL.

I think several factors contributed to the low attendance. We were in competition with the Ryder Cup, our game was live on TV and it was the holiday weekend and a dreadful day.

We know we're in the entertainment business and do our best to provide excitement but we can't force people to come to our games.

There's no doubt we are still suffering from our CIS Cup defeat to Queen's Park. That cost us a lot of credit with our fans and it may take a long time before that setback is forgotten.

All we can do is win as many games as possible at Pittodrie. We have to restore credibility and that will only be done by giving total commitment and scoring more goals at home.

Those who did attend on Sunday will have seen a high-octane clash. I spoke to Craig Levein afterwards and he was complimentary about our performance.

I know we're in a results driven business but I'm sure most people would agree we were unfortunate to lose. We took more positives than negatives from our best display so far this season.

If we can maintain that standard we'll win more games than we lose.

However, shrinking crowds will have an effect at some stage. It has already been mooted that we give over the entire South Stand to visiting supporters to generate extra income.

And it's not a fear that stay-away fans can affect the transfer budget next summer, that is a certainty.

Hearts will have to change their tactics to get through against Sparta Prague on Thursday and I wish them well.

They'll have to chase the game and won't be able to sit and hit their opponents on the break like they did at Pittodrie.

The Czechs have a tremendous pedigree in Europe and it will be a big ask of Hearts to go through.

No Scottish team has ever gone through after losing the first leg but it's not impossible.

If it's not happening after 20 minutes in Prague they should sound the bugles and hope talented players like Paul Hartley, Neil McCann, Julian Brellier and Roman Bednar can pull back a two-goal deficit.

They have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

It will be a nervy night for Rangers at Ibrox without the advantage of an away goal.

Their performance was poor in Norway and Molde weren't as bad as had been widely suggested.

How Rangers react to successive defeats by Hibs and Celtic will determine their progress in the UEFA Cup. If their attitude is right, I expect them to get through.

FC Copenhagen will find it tough going against Celtic tonight because European nights at Parkhead have become so special.

I'm sure the Danes will never have experienced an atmosphere quite like it and the crowd will be like a 12th man for Celtic.

The Champions League is where every manager would love to test himself because of the importance the tournament has assumed.

The UEFA Cup has been devalued after being put back to a Thursday, almost like an after-thought.

But nothing could be further from the truth when you look at the calibre of the teams in the competition. And Rangers have the extra incentive of knowing the final will be in Glasgow.

I hope Scotland's three representatives succeed this week. It's the only way our co-efficient will improve.

Taken from the Daily Record