Former Hearts star and 2012 Scottish Cup winner Ryan McGowan has comprehensively written the Jambos off ahead of their trip to Copenhagen.
The Gorgie side travel to Denmark on Thursday evening hoping to secure a big result and guarantee their spot in the Europa Conference League knockout play-off round.
Hearts only need a point at the Parken Stadium, although they’ll still have a chance to finish the job in their final league phase fixture against Petrocub at Tynecastle.
But McGowan thinks Hearts are in no way capable of causing an upset against Copenhagen, who sit top of their domestic league after 17 games.
They actually sit below Hearts by a point in the Conference League table – but McGowan believes there’s a significant gap in quality between the two sides.
Ryan McGowan gives Hearts no Copenhagen hope
McGowan told PLZ Soccer: “Hearts have next to no chance of getting anything over there. It’s a pot 1 team and I think there’s a big gulf in class between the pot 1 teams and the lower ones in the Conference League.
“Yeah, I think it will be a step too far for Hearts. As a club, I think they’ll just want to go there and put in a solid enough performance.
“Luckily they won at the weekend to lift them off the foot of the table which will give them a little bit of confidence.
“But league form has to be the key and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a few more changes with an eye on the weekend.”
Craig Halkett on Copenhagen task
Hearts centre-back Craig Halkett is another who knows how big a challenge it will be to overcome Copenhagen, who played in the Champions League knockout rounds last campaign.
But the team are not daunted by the task and are looking forward to it. Halkett is aiming to play a part in the clash and said: “Copenhagen is one we’re all looking forward to.
“It’s probably going to be one of the toughest challenges we’ve faced this year. They’re a European giant. Over the last 10-15 years everyone knows who they are.
“I think everybody wants to play at the highest level and test themselves against the best opposition, the best teams. It’s going to be a hard game but one we’re all looking forward to.”