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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
James Cairney

Robbie Neilson excited for Fiorentina double-header after Hearts defeat RFS

Robbie Neilson excited for Fiorentina double-header after Hearts defeat RFS

AN ecstatic Robbie Neilson insisted he and his Hearts players will rightfully enjoy their 2-0 Europa Conference League win over RFS but has called for the team to regain their focus ahead of their Premiership meeting with Motherwell this Sunday.

Lawrence Shankland scored from the spot to give the Edinburgh side a first-half lead in Latvia before Alan Forrest sealed the win in second-half injury time as the Jambos recorded their first away European victory since 2004.

Hearts sit in second place behind Istanbul Baskasehir in Group A ahead of a double-header against Italy’s Fiorentina and Neilson is feeling bullishly optimistic about his side’s chances.

“I’m absolutely delighted – delighted for the fans first and foremost because we brought about 2000 here so it is going to be a raucous night in Riga, that’s for sure,” he told BT Sport.

“And for the club and the players it is absolutely brilliant. It has been such a long time since we have won a game in Europe.

“To come away from home and now we are sitting in second in the group, it’s just magnificent.

“We played Istanbul last week and I think they will run away with the group because they are a top, top team.

“Fiorentina are very good but we have a chance against them next at Tynecastle and then again after that away from home.

“Tonight is brilliant and we will enjoy it but we go to Fir Park on Sunday and we need to be ready for that.”

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