BRELLIER'S HEARTS SET ON SILVERWARE

JULIEN BRELLIER reckons Hearts must now lift a trophy to ensure this season is regarded as a success after the blow of a second European exit.

The Jambos tumbled out of the UEFA Cup in midweek at the hands of Sparta Prague - a result that came hot on the heels of losing to AEK Athens in their Champions League qualifier.

Europe was Hearts' big chance to progress after taking huge strides domestically last season by finishing second and winning the Scottish Cup.

But after the disappointment in the Czech Republic they must win silverware just to maintain the standards they've set.

Brellier feels that's now a must to fulfil fans' rising expectations and he's confident they can do that with the team getting back on track in the SPL and a quarter-final CIS Cup tie against Hibs coming up next month.

As he surveyed the wreckage of a dismal European venture the Frenchman said: "After going out of Europe we must win something because we have the squad to do it.

"And we can definitely win something this season. We didn't have a good start in the SPL but at least it was the same for Celtic and Rangers so we haven't lost much ground.

"And we still have the chance to make a big impact in the league.

"We also have the two cup competitions to play for. We showed last season we have the winning mentality after lifting the Scottish Cup and finishing second to reach the Champions League.

"The second season is more difficult because other teams are ready for you and supporters also raise their expectations.

"We have a good team, play good football and just have to keep working hard and win as many games as possible and I'm sure we'll be alright."

Hearts face Dundee United in a crucial league game at home this afternoon when victory would at least go some way to wiping out the Prague disappointment.

And Brellier relived his moment of madness against the Tangerines at Tannadice last season on one of the most eventful nights in the history of Hearts.

It had emerged on the day of the game that then manager Graham Rix wasn't in sole charge of selection and Vladimir Romanov had his say.

First-team regulars Andy Webster and Robbie Neilson were dropped to the bench, Hearts went a goal down only for Paul Hartley to equalise from a controversial penalty.

The spot-kick was awarded after a foul on Steven Pressley, with the United players insisting the defender had dived, and Brellier was red carded for lashing out at Derek McInnes in the melee that followed.

As he prepard to face United today Julien said: "I remember that night at Tannadice when I was red carded. I have tried to wipe it out of my head because it was last season and this is a new campaign.

"But I made a mistake when I raised a hand to one of their players I have learned from it.

"We agreed with Steven he didn't dive and had to defend him. It was at that moment I lost my head, a rush of blood.

"I didn't touch the player but I was punished by the referee and it's important to keep calm in such situations."

And despite the 2-0 aggregate defeat by Sparta Prague, Brellier believes there were good signs in the scoreless draw in the Toyota Arena on Thursday.

He said: "Sparta deserved to go through but at least in the Czech Republic we showed we have the spirit to do well in the league.

"It was always going to be difficult to win 3-0 but we tried hard and had some good chances.

"We were disappointed not to score but are happy with the spirit and performance.

"Europe is much more difficult than the SPL and we were unlucky to be drawn against Sparta."

Taken from the Sunday Mail