Heart of Midlothian will host FC Nordsjælland of Denmark tonight in the opening week of the UEFA Conference League. This will be the Gorgie side’s third venture into the group stage/ league phase of the Conference League since 2022/23. Here’s how the Hearts of today compare to their previous sides.
After a 3rd place finish in 2021/22, Rangers’ Scottish Cup victory (over Hearts) landed them in the Europa League Play-off round, where they failed to defeat FC Zurich over two legs, thus landing them in Europe’s third tier competition. Hearts’ first Conference League match was a 4-0 loss at home to Istanbul Basaksehir. The only remaining member of the Hearts squad from that evening was Steven Kingsley, who’s own goal put the visitors 3-0 up. Many in attendance that night will also remember the death of Queen Elizabeth II announced over the tannoy and a moment of silence before the second half begun.
Robbie Neilson’s side would earn home and away victories over Latvian side RFS to exit the group in third place.
The next Hearts European campaign would go on to be famous for all the wrong reasons. This time, Neil Critchley was in charge and led his team to wins over Dinamo Minsk and Omonia Nicosia before losing three straight games. Hearts were still able to progress to the knockout stages on the final match day as they hosted Moldovan side Petroclub.
A win was all Hearts needed to advance and they found themselves 2-1 up thanks to goals from James Wilson and Blair Spittal, but an 83rd minute equaliser would reside Hearts to settle for a point at home to the last placed side in one of the most embarrassing results in their history.
So where do the Hearts of today compare? Well, it’s night and day. Whilst Wouter Vrancken’s side were unable to compete with Strum Graz and Benfica in the Champions League and Europa League respectively, their win over Rapid Vienna in the Conference League Play-off round is a sign they’re here to compete.
Hearts are also coming into the match on the back off eleven consecutive home league wins and of course, nearly winning the league last year.
There’s no doubt that Tynecastle is a much better place to be right now than it was before and the confidence and energy around the club is plain to see.
It seems Vrancken has his front four of Miller, Braga, McPake and Wilson nailed down currently and Nordsjælland manager Jens Olsen highlighted the quartet, alongside right-back Jordi Altena pre-match.
As highlighted, the Hearts squad have undergone some serious surgery over the years, especially under Jamestown Analytics giving them an impressive attacking squad with serious squad depth behind it.
Nordsjælland will be no easy task tonight, but the match presents a serious opportunity for Hearts as they look to further progress in Europe this year.
