Hearts weren't ready when they kicked off their European campaign - but Calvin Miller is now looking to make history in the Conference League. The Jambos want to become the first Scottish team to get through the group stages of this competition.
Wouter Vrancken's side went out of the Champions League to Sturm Graz and the Europa League to Benfica. Miller knows that during that time Wouter was still putting his plans in place and building up his squad. He has now laid those foundations and the Hearts wide man wants to show how far they have come in tonight's group stage opener against Nordsjaelland at Tynecastle.
Miller: 'We've definitely learned a lot'
Miller admitted: "A proper test of our mentality as well, test where you are at the time as a group. The manager was just in the door for not that long and he's trying to put his style across to us as well and still figuring out what's his best team and all that because of how quickly the games came around.
"So, we're definitely a different team to what we were at the start. It takes you a few defeats to then realise how far you've come and I believe from tomorrow night to the first round of that game we've definitely learned a lot."
"So, (we are) taking those experiences into tomorrow. It was tough against Benfica, it was tough against Sturm Graz, you've kind of come through the mill a bit and certainly physically went through the mill in (Rapid) Vienna."
Tough draws and lessons learned
Miller reflected on the difficult path to the group stages: "100%, just even with the draw, the draws for the Champions League and then Europa and then for the Conference. I just feel like they were really, really tough draws.
"You see a team like Benfica should never have been in the Europa League, they should have been in the Champions League, they're a Champions League team. Especially in the manner that we'd done it as well. It felt like we were against all odds at the time, you can remember how bad the referee was that night.
"Not even just for ourselves, for Vienna as well, just really inconsistent and then having to go down to the end, getting back into the game and then a man down and then winning the penalties. It's just you take those experiences and you remember what got you here and you try to be resilient in your performances. Just playing in Europe is exciting, playing against top opposition and top players. So it's a test for yourself and it's a test for the whole team."
Benfica pinnacle, but group stage equally challenging
Miller admitted taking on Benfica has been the pinnacle but this group stage could be equally challenging with teams like Mo Salah's Trabzonspor and Monaco still to come. He said: "Of course, we deserve to be here, just like any other team that's qualified as well. Everyone's here for a reason and we've done it our way and everyone else has done it their way, so we've always got to remember that, we're not just here to take part, we're here to go and show that we're a good footballing side as well.
"Benfica have been the pinnacle of the teams. but, Trabszonspor have got Mo Salah and stuff like that. So, top quality players you can test yourself against in those situations but I think you just take it game by game and see how far you can get."
The ex-Falkirk star is also aware of Nordsjaelland's quality, despite the fact they don't have an abundance of big names. They like to get the ball down and dominate. He said: "I noticed that this morning, they're very very composed in the way they play and they actually sometimes overplay a lot.
"But they've got that bit of change where they can mix it up and draw you in and then hit you in behind on the counter and stuff. so the front view looks fast. so that's something we've got to be aware of."
Scotland ambitions and injury blow for Ageu
Miller wants to shine for Hearts but also hopes he can catch the eye of new Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli. He knows playing on this stage can only help his cause in his bid to land that first call-up and full cap.
Miller insisted: "Absolutely, that's probably maybe why I was a wee bit more disappointed the first time not getting in after the Vienna and stuff. I felt like I was doing well and I was in a good place and I was scoring and stuff. So that's probably the next achievement for myself.
"If I can make that happen then I'd be all for the moon but it hasn't, so I've just got to keep continuing my form in terms of chipping in with goals and playing as many minutes as possible and helping doing good performances within the team."
Brazilian Eduardo Ageu's luckless injury run has continued. The Brazilian has picked up a knock that will now see him miss the European campaign. Miller confirmed he has the sympathies of his Tynecastle teammates.
Miller added: "Just being in this season and then hearing what he went through last season. It's obviously not nice because I've had a bad injury myself years ago and if he keeps repeating these injuries it's knocking him out for a couple of months or whatever. Mentally it can be tough, so we'll just try and put an arm around him and lift his spirits and try and make sure he gets back stronger and better."
