Robbie Neilson insists Hearts have earned the right not to feel like European group stage gatecrashers.
The Tynecastle boss is also adamant there's no fear or any inferiority complex ahead of tonight's clash with Turkish giants Istanbul Basaksehir which will get their Europa Conference League campaign off and running. It's a first Euro group clash for 18 years in Gorgie and Neilson shrugged off a recent run of just one win in their last six games including a Premier Sports Cup exit at home to Kilmarnock.
After parachuting into UEFA's third tier competition on the back of a Europa League play-off defeat to FC Zurich, the Jambos gaffer is convinced his players are more than capable they can shine at this level and bristled at a suggestion self-doubt could come into the equation. He said: "There's none of that. We have earned the right to be here, we've shown we can do it. We were consistent in the league last season and we deserve to be here but we have to prove it every time we play in these competitions.
"I think the players can play at this level, I think they believe they can. It's about pitting ourselves against some top teams in Europe, international players who have played for huge clubs. Some guys there have played for Milan and other teams in Europe. It's a chance for our players to see where they are at that level.
"We have a lot of young guys and hopefully they will recognise that they can play at that level. The home game against Zurich cleared a lot of doubts for the players about 'can they perform at that level'. They have proved they can."
The Turks haven't lost any of their 17 competitive fixtures since back in March and have yet to concede a goal in their four league games in the current campaign but arrived in Edinburgh without their two star men as former Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil and ex-Tottenham winger Nacer Chadli who miss out due to injury.
Neilson is under no illusions about the size of the task in hand and he's also convinced his team's current domestic form hasn't given him any cause for great concern with the season in its infancy. He said: "They're an extremely good team with some really experienced international players.
"It's going to be a tough night but we're at Tynecastle. We played Zurich recently and did very well in that game and we hope we can bring the same kind of energy and spirit and hopefully Tynecastle is rocking again.
"We're sitting fourth in the league. We've had some tough games to start with, including FC Zurich, the Swiss champions.
"The last couple of games have been very disappointing but we've added to the squad and we're getting guys back from injury, and I'm sure we'll kick on. You can only move on to the next game.
"The last two results have not been good enough for the football club but it happens in football. We've now got to push forward. We've got a huge game against a very good team and it gives us an opportunity to get ourselves going again.
"We've lost two games in four days so if that's a slump I'll take that every now and again in the season. We're sitting in a good position.
"We're playing group-stage European football and we're sitting fourth in the league so we've got to look at the positives. Yes, we'd like to win every game but it's not going to happen where we are at the moment so we have to take the next game as it comes and hopefully take care of it. "
Hearts have also been paired with Italians Fiorentina and Rigas FS of Latvia and Neilson has called for a clinical edge for his need if they are to progress.
He said: "At this level, you get two or three chances you have to score some. You know the opposition will get chances because they are quality. We have to take that next step, which is scoring, getting this place going and hopefully winning games."
Neilson has added former Scotland striker Robert Snodgrass to his squad after being out of contract at Luton and has no doubt the 35-year-old will bring a host of qualities into his dressing room.
He said: "We were looking to bring someone in with a bit of quality in the forward areas and the opportunity came up a couple of days ago so I had a good chat with him. I think he'll be a real good addition to the squad because he knows the league and he's got experience.
Hearts will again be without long-term absentees Beni Baningime, Kye Rowles and Liam Boyce with Craig Halkett also sidelined but could be ready to face St Mirren on Sunday.
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