The ‘good for Scottish football’ argument is a well worn one whenever any of our teams achieve something in Europe. Rangers made it two teams in the Champions League group stage after a brilliant 1-0 second leg victory over PSV last night, and there’s a tangible benefit to Hearts as a result, providing the Jambos get the job done against FC Zurich tonight - seeing as they’d be Scotland’s only Scottish representatives in Europa League.
Robbie Neilson ’s side trail 2-1 after last Thursday’s first leg encounter in St Gallen. In previous years, Lawrence Shankland’s penalty would have been even more valuable to the capital club.
But with the away goals rule scrapped, a 1-0 win at Tynecastle will only be enough for extra-time. However, that also means that there’s no cause to overly panic should the Swiss champions find a way past Craig Gordon at the other end of the pitch.
The capital club ensured they’d be filling their coffers this season all the way back in April. A 3-1 Edinburgh derby win over Hibs saw them secure third place and condemn their rivals to the bottom six in the process.