Hearts boss Neil Critchley has demanded a ‘hostile’ Tynecastle atmosphere when Heidenheim travel to Gorgie this week.
The Germans will pose the Jambos’ toughest challenge yet this season with both aiming for three points that will secure a Europa Conference League knockout play-off spot.
Hearts and Heidenheim are locked on six points apiece after two wins from two but that will change come full-time on Thursday night.
Even a draw for Hearts would be a good result. But judging Critchley’s pre-match press conference comments, it’s clear he wants a third straight European win in front of a packed home crowd.
Critchley wants Hearts fans to intimidate Heidenheim as much as they can and deliver a ‘horrible’ Tynecastle atmosphere intended to spook their German visitors.
The Hearts manager told the press on Wednesday: “We want this to be a hostile, intimidating atmosphere where no one wants to come here and play. Horrible. So, Tynie will be on fire on Thursday night and I hope it’s not a nice experience for our opponents.
“It will be a different test compared to Omonoia Nicoisa because it’s a different type of team. I don’t want to say too much because then I’m going to be giving away things that we might be trying to capitalise on.
“But there’s clear differences between Omonoia and Heidenheim in how they play the game, how they approach the game.
“That’s not to say good or bad, right or wrong, there are just differences. Heidenheim are a German team, they’re different to Omonoia.
“As I said, we want to beat us, we’re at home, we want to be consistent in how we play the game, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how our players play in the atmosphere that our supporters create for us.”
What Critchley expects from Heidenheim
Asked if he expects the German outfit to be quicker and stronger than Omonoia were in Gorgie, Critchley replied: “Yes, I would say so.
“Playing in the German league, you know how physically demanding that league is, so we’re going to have to compete very well in duels and make sure we match their aggression and intensity.
“The German teams are well renowned for especially counter-attacking at pace, so we’re going to have to be good on the ball.
“If we’re going to lose the ball, then make sure we’re losing it in certain areas of the pitch, because if you lose it in certain (other) areas of the pitch, then they’re very dangerous.
“Like I say, we’re going to have to be really good with the ball, we’re going to have to be mindful of their threats, but we’re in a good moment.
“We’re clear on what we need to do and we’re looking forward to a good game. It’s a big challenge but one that, being at home, we’re really looking forward to.
“When you’re meeting certain teams from certain parts of Europe and the footballing world – German teams, Bundesliga teams – it does create that little bit more anticipation in the type of game you might be playing, watching them play and seeing how good they are.
“We know we’re in for a big test, but if we can play a game that we want to play, then we know it’ll be a really good game and it’ll be a really good match for them.”