Robbie Neilson has heaped praise on his rampant Hearts after they notched four goals away from home in Europe for the first time but the Jumbos head coach is warning his players not to take their next opponents – Birkirkara – lightly to reach the third qualifying round of the Europa League.
On Wednesday, Igor Rossi claimed a brace to add to strikes by Callum Paterson and Alim Ozturk and, while an Ozturk own goal and a neat volley by Vladimir Voskoboinikov were some consolation for Estonia’s FC Infonet, Hearts were on easy street all night in a 4-2 victory.
Reflecting on the 6-3 aggregate triumph which tees up a tie against the Maltese Premier League club, Neilson was delighted with a job well done.
“It was a great start. We knew what we had to do after playing FC Infonet last week,” Neilson was quoted as saying.
“I was pleased with the attitude and the game-plan. We showed a real sharpness in the first half, something we missed last week fitness wise.
“We tired around the 60th minute, but hopefully this game has helped us and we can get geared up for Malta next week. We’re still in pre-season. Generally it’s six weeks and we’re only three weeks in.”
Neilson warned that Birkirkara will not be a walkover and pointed to them taking West Ham United to penalties in last season’s Europa League qualifiers.
“They’re a good team, they’re a very good team,” he added.
“You think when you’re going to Malta with a Scottish team you should be winning, but they’re invested a lot of money.
“Birkirkara had a great result last year against West Ham… they’ve got some real quality players.”
The only negative on the night for Hearts was a hefty challenge on goalkeeper Jack Hamilton by FC Infonet defender Ofusu Appiah which left the youngster needing 10 stitches.
Meanwhile, defender Rossi scored twice in a game for the first time in his career, and then joked that he will be playing up front against Birkirkara next week.
“My team-mates said I am playing striker in the next game,” laughed the Brazilian centre-back.
For Hearts, European football this summer came just two years after the Edinburgh club was plunged into administration and relegated from the Scottish Premiership.
However, promotion from the Championship, ahead of Rangers and city rivals Hibernian, was followed by an impressive return to the top-flight climaxing in a third-placed finish last season.