Andy Kirk sees Hearts' John Souttar replacement not being a transfer as he relives Euro glory nights

It's 22 years since Hearts beat Bundesliga giants Stuttgart at Tynecastle but Andy Kirk can still feel the energy as if it was yesterday.

The former Northern Ireland striker recalls the pulsating atmosphere reverberating round Gorgie that evening and insists little else he experienced for club or country could match even though it ultimately ended in an agonising away-goals loss.

Kirk, now Brechin manager, can’t wait to see those special Euro nights return to his old stomping ground after the summer. Robbie Neilson – a second-half sub that night against Stuttgart – has worked wonders to guide the Jambos into a Europa League play-off spot after a third-place finish in the Premiership.

Even if they lose, the consolation of a Conference League group stage place guarantees big nights in the capital – and a mini windfall in the coffers.

Only once in the last decade have the Jambos ventured into continental football and not since 2004-05 have they set foot in the group stage of a Euro competition. And Kirk said: “It’s a hell of an achievement to reach the group stage and guarantee European football until Christmas.

“I played against Stuttgart in 2000 at Tynecastle and it was one of the best nights in my career. I’ll never forget the atmosphere in that game, the noise and energy under the lights, it was phenomenal.

“We won 3-2 on the night and were so unlucky not to go through as we lost on away goals. Gordon Petric had a great chance near the end but he couldn’t put it in the net and that was us out.

“But what a night it was, one I will always remember. When Tynecastle is rocking it’s an unbelievable stadium to play in.”

Kirk returned to Hearts as youth coach under Neilson in 2016 and saw that the rookie boss had something