Stuart Findlay has dismissed the notion that Hearts' Champions League qualifier against Sturm Graz is a free hit, emphasising the enormity of the opportunity for the Tynecastle squad. The 30-year-old defender knows this could be the only chance many of Wouter Vrancken's players get to grace Europe's elite competition.
Hearts Face Sturm Graz in Champions League Qualifier
Hearts travel to Austria on Monday for the second qualifying round first leg against Sturm Graz, who finished second in the Austrian Bundesliga last season. The Edinburgh side have the safety net of Europa League qualifiers if they lose, but Findlay insists the focus is solely on advancing in the Champions League.
Sturm Graz reached the league phase of the competition two seasons ago and are considered heavy favourites. However, Findlay says the squad is treating the double header with the utmost seriousness.
“No not at all. It's a once in a lifetime chance for a lot of people,” Findlay said. “Not many people get to play Champions League football. At the age of 30 I didn’t know if I would get the chance to play Champions League football. I know it's a qualifier but it's still got that title ahead of it so we have to make sure we grab it with both hands and make sure it's not just two games and make sure we're in the hat for the next round.”
Findlay's European Experience
Findlay came through the ranks at Celtic during a period when the Hoops regularly competed in the Champions League under Neil Lennon and Ronny Deila. Lennon guided Celtic to the group stage in 2013 against Barcelona, AC Milan and Ajax. As a youth player, Findlay served as a ball boy on those big European nights.
His only proper taste of European football came two seasons ago with Kilmarnock, facing Cercle Brugge, Tromso and Copenhagen in the Europa and Conference League qualifiers. Now he is desperate for a crack at the Champions League.
“I remember being a ball boy at Celtic Park when you're in the youth team and you can imagine the atmosphere,” he said. “Then at Kilmarnock you get to experience European fixtures which were a special occasion compared to what you're probably used to in the everyday league matches. But I'd like to think Tynecastle under the lights for a Champions League game is going to be that extra bit special.”
Tynecastle Atmosphere Key
Findlay is already looking forward to the prospect of a Champions League night at Tynecastle. “Obviously the away game is going to be great but I don't think anybody will be looking forward to anything more than getting back to Tynecastle,” he said. “Hopefully we get a performance in the first leg to give us a good footing for the second leg and we come back to a bouncing Tynecastle and show Sturm Graz what Champions League football can be about.”
Hearts Adapting to Leadership Changes
Hearts have lost a quartet of captains from last season following the exit of Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin, Frankie Kent and the injury that will keep Craig Halkett out until the new year. But Findlay is confident the squad retains a strong leadership core.
“There was a lot made about the leadership core that we lost with Shanks, Cammy, Frankie but you've obviously still got that good core Scottish group which we had from last year,” he said. “You've still got me, Halks, Blair Spittal, Jamie McCart, Stephen Kingsley, Harry Milne. It's still a really good squad that can drive the standards and let the boys know what's to be expected.
“Obviously the boys that were here last year they've had a year to learn of what's expected at the club and hopefully they can help pass it on. We have to make sure that we're all a team of leaders and the new guys coming in quickly get up to the expectations of what we want and the quicker we do that and the quicker we can hit the ground running the better.”
