Robbie Neilson has confirmed both Barrie McKay and Stephen Kingsley will be fit to face Fiorentina.
The Hearts pair were both withdrawn in the second half of Saturday's 4-0 home defeat to Rangers but their manager insists they will be "fine" for Thursday's Europa Conference League glamour tie. Neilson decided to sub the pair at half-time with the Jambos down to 10 men but only on a precautionary basis.
McKay and Kingsley reported niggles at the interval and their manager decided they weren't worth risking with such a monumental European tie just days away. Lawrence Shankland was also taken off in the second period but all three in contention to start when Hearts welcome the Serie A big hitters to Edinburgh later this week. Neilson said: "We had a few different niggles so didn't feel it was worth getting them back out. It was too much of a risk."
Meanwhile, Robert Snodgrass reckons it's a huge achievement for Hearts to even be in the mix to face the likes of Fiorentina, given their relegation to the Championship just two years ago. UEFA red tape means the veteran is ineligible for the group stage cracker but he's keen to help in any way he can.
“Two or three years ago this club was in the Championship,” he said. “The club have come a long way. No disrespect but this club shouldn’t be in the Championship. But sometimes that can be the best thing for you. You can come back stronger.
“That is exactly what they have done. They have got themselves into Europe and are rubbing shoulders with teams like Fiorentina. That is what the fans want, that is what the players want, that is what the staff want.
“To come into that environment is good. But it isn’t good if you can’t qualify to play in the games! It’s a difficult one (to be missing out). It’s just down to timing. There is a bigger picture here than me.
“If I can give my experience and help out in certain ways, especially after a defeat like that, I will. We have to pick ourselves up and get ready for a big game.”
