Robbie Neilson says Hearts are going for the win in Switzerland with the main aim to reach the Europa League group stage.
The Jambos have jetted out to face Swiss champions FC Zurich in the first leg of their play-off showdown with the winner reaching the tournament proper. The duo will go head to head at Tynecastle next week in the return with the Gorgie boss urging his players to go out there and give it everything they have got in tonight's first meeting.
Both clubs have the fall-back of guaranteed Europa Conference League football should they fall at this stage - but that is far from Neilson's mind with the Europa League his target. He knows, despite a stuttering start for the Swiss side domestically, that they are in for a real tough test but like they do in every game whether it is Europe or at home, they want to win the match. Neilson says if they can bring their A-game, they have a real opportunity to reach the next stage.
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READ MORE: Hearts' rivals FC Zurich sit bottom as they strike late in basement clash in Europa League warm up
He said: "I say it all the time - when you play with Hearts, you're expected to win every game. Our fans expect us to come here, put a performance on and win the game. If we do that, we get into the Europa League. That's what we're aiming to do.
"Then it will be the same when we go to Parkhead on Sunday, and again next Thursday. So we're not going, 'Let's try and get a draw'. Let's give ourselves something to play for at Tynecastle', we want to win the game.
"It's about coming here to win but we are under no illusions that we are playing against a very good team.
"They are the Swiss champions and have international players. We are away from home and at a different venue, so it's going to be tough.
"We've a good group and believe, if we give it our best shot and bring our best game, we've got a chance."
He added: "We look after ourselves, we concentrate on our own club and make sure we develop - and this is another step forward for us.
"Two years ago we were playing in the Championship, having been demoted. We had to then get promoted, reach the top six, we've made Europe. Now the next stage is to qualify for the Europa League."
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