Big game experience playing in Europe.

[Hearts1975]

Although the overall result through the week was disappointing, as others have said, that first 45 minutes was as good as we have played in a long long time. 

74% overall possession against the Swiss Champions. Just let that sink in for a minute. 

 

Listening to the SATF podcast through the week I think Mark Donaldson referenced the point in comparison, using Liverpool as an example, that although Zurich's league form has been shit this year, it doesn't make them a bad team overnight.

That was a team littered with International players and quality right throughout their side. Make no mistake. 

 

We shouldn't get ahead of ourselves going into the conference group, and we have to recognise that this could go the other way, as Fiorentina and Istanbul are top top class European opposition, but if we can play well, and most importantly compete, the knowledge and learning of how to play against these bigger sides with continental experience, and the benefits of playing against top class players, will pay huge huge dividends for us moving forward.

We all know retaining 3rd in the league and getting back in Europe next year is key to building and improving the squad yoy 

 

These additional games will also give us much more big game experience of how to manage and play the likes of the OF, and help us to compete better against the bigger sides, hopefully including going through to Glasgow and putting on a good performance. Not necessarily winning, but playing well and competing.

In terms of everyone else, the experience of how to be ruthless and clinical and taking the 3 points. 

 

All in all this overall experience will teach us key learnings which is probably worth a hell of a lot more than 3-5 million quid and what the entry fees will bring us.

 

Good times and a real opportunity for us beckons. 

 

 

[Tom Hardy’s Dug]

Agree