Craig Gordon has opened up on the Hearts 'feelgood factor' as they gear up for a big season both domestically and in Europe.
The Jambos are guaranteed European group stage football next term with the capital club set to enter the Europa League play-off round. Victory over the 180 minutes and it is a spot in the group stages. Defeat, and they have the parachute of knowing they will drop into the Europa Conference League proper - meaning some big European nights under the lights at Tynecastle.
Hearts finished third behind Celtic and Rangers in the Premiership last season and reached the Scottish Cup Final in a stunning return to the top flight having won the Scottish Championship the season before. Robbie Neilson has been busy adding to his squad ahead of the campaign and been working his players hard during a Spanish warm-weather training camp. Hearts' European adventure means a guaranteed eight Thursday-Sunday games this coming campaign at minimum - something Gordon has experienced during his Celtic days.
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For Hearts, they are trying to recreate these scenarios as much as possible with the Scotland No1 determined to continue last season's success into the new one.
He told the Daily Record: “That’s what the coaching staff have been looking to do pre-season – put things in place that are going to come up during the season. The potential is that we could have to go and play somewhere quite warm.
"Also going back to play two games a week from next week which is what we’ll encounter when we go into Europe, playing and then travelling.
“We’re trying to recreate that as much as possible so we get into the swing of things. Recovery is going to be huge for us this season The sports science guys have been on top of that and emphasising how important it is. Nutrition, everything to give us the best possible chance. We’ve got a bigger squad so more players can come in and play the different matches.
"The rest and in between games will be vitally important. We’re not going to be able to do a great deal of tactical work in between these games, so it’s about getting everything as organised as we can in pre-season.
"The manager has already set out how he wants to play and the formations we’re looking to use in the next few weeks. We’re trying to get everything in place early in these camps and that’s why he’s wanted the players in quick, to get everything bedded in."
He continued: “We wanted to be successful.
“We’ve done it very quickly, coming up from the Championship and having a really good year last year.
“We’re probably a little bit ahead than what most people would’ve thought but certainly the aim was to get Hearts back into the position where they could challenge for European football. We’ve given ourselves a great chance.
“We’re trying to develop all aspects of the club and I think everybody can see that.
“The fans are buying into everything, they’ve renewed their season tickets and we’ve really improved in all aspects.
“It’s a good club to be part of at the moment. There’s a real feelgood factor and it’s up to us to try to continue that into this season.”
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