33-0

HEARTS must become Scottish football record breakers if they are to reach the group stages of the UEFA Cup.

The Jambos jet out to the Czech Republic this morning trailing 2-0 from their first-round, first-leg tie against Sparta Prague.

Astonishingly, in 51 years of European competition, no Scottish club has ever progressed in any of the major trophies after losing a first-leg tie at home.

In total, our clubs have lost their firstleg ties in Scotland on 33 occasions - and on 33 occasions they have returned home empty handed after the second game.

The unenviable run started in 1957 when Rangers lost a European Cup tie to AC Milan 4-1 at Ibrox, then went down 2-0 in the return leg in Italy.

It continued as recently as last month when Gretna and Hearts both lost at home and failed to mount successful comebacks at Derry City and AEK Athens.

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There have been some close calls in the last five decades, including eight years ago when Hearts almost pulled off one of the greatest results in their history.

They lost the first leg of their European Cup-Winners' Cup tie 1-0 to Real Mallorca at Tynecastle and drew the return leg 1-1 on a night of high drama in Spain.

Former Jambos striker Jim Hamilton found the net in a game that almost didn't go ahead when it was discovered the goals were not regulation size.

Dunfermline hitman Hammy, 30, still shakes his head with disbelief as he recalls one of the craziest nights of his career.

He was also amazed to discover Scottish clubs have never come from behind on the road in Europe after losing the first leg at home but reckons Hearts have what it takes to break the hoodoo in Prague tomorrow night.

Hamilton was only 22 when he ran out to play one of his first European ties in bizarre circumstances.

The crossbars were found to vary in height by 10 centimetres from post to centre as a result of sizeable mounds in the six-yard box at the dilapidated Luis Sitjar Stadium.

The UEFA observer suggested a postponement of 24 hours to level the penalty box but the game eventually went ahead after heated talks on the touchline between both clubs and even the British Consul.

Hamilton said: "It's amazing to think none of our clubs have managed to claw back a tie after losing the first leg at home.

"It's especially surprising when you consider the European record in the past of clubs such as Rangers and Celtic, Hearts, Hibs and even the new firmof Dundee United and Aberdeen.

"We came close that night in Palma but it will be the episode involving the posts that will forever stick in my mind.

"We didn't even know if the game was going to go ahead or not but we were of the mind to get it played there and then. "We went into the return leg a goal down as they played the classic counterattacking game a fortnight earlier at Tynecastle.

"We had so much of the ball that night but could do little with it and they eventually scored from a corner.

"But we gave them a scare in Spain and it has to be remembered Real Mallorca were a decent side who went all the way to the Final that year before losing to Lazio at Villa Park.

"In the second leg against us they scored just after half-time to go two in front and we knew we had to go for it.

"I scored with a header on 75 minutes but despite hitting a post and seeing their keeper pull off a couple of great stops late on, we couldn't get the second that would have taken us through.

"The club later launched an appeal to UEFA and demanded Real Mallorca be thrown out the competition but we knew that would never happen."

Bookies will give shorter odds on the likelihood of Hammy ever being granted a testimonial than of Hearts pulling off a shock tomorrow night.

He started his career at home-town Keith 13 years ago and has since played for eight different clubs, including two spells at East End Park.

He knows the Scottish scene inside out and has seen enough of Hearts this season to back them to progress into the group stages.

He added: "Hearts have bounced back recently with two great results in the league against Motherwell and Aberdeen and they were very good in the second half at Pittodrie on Sunday.

"Craig Gordon is a terrific keeper and with a goalie like that in your side you'll always fancy your chances.

"Paul Hartley is back on top of his game and if Mauricio Pinilla and Roman Bednar are on form, who is to say they can't do it?

"Everyone has written off Hearts after their first-leg defeat at Murrayfield but if they score early it's game on.

"Sparta showed in the first leg they have players who can play on the counter attack.

"However, they might be in two minds about how to approach this tie and Hearts could take advantage. Do they sit in and protect their 2-0 lead or will they be put under pressure from their fans to push forward?

"Hearts created a couple of great opportunities in the Champions League qualifier in Athens but unfortunately failed to take them.

"They might have turned the game so this time it's vital to find the net.

"It's a pity they'll be without Edgaras Jankauskas and Michal Pospisil through injury but Bednar and Pinilla have become important players in recent weeks.

"I really hope Hearts go through because it's important for Scottish football that our clubs do well in Europe.

"That 33-game run is a good stat. Hopefully, Hearts will leave it at that tomorrow night."

Taken from the Daily Record