Nathaniel Atkinson insists Hearts won't wilt in Black Hell heat as Jambos are relishing hostile PAOK reception

Nathaniel Atkinson has been to heaven too many times to be afraid of a trip to hell.

The Australian defender has been ticking off the big occasions one by one over the last two years. There have been lows along the way too, of course, including Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to PAOK. Overturning a one-goal deficit away from home is never easy and PAOK’s Toumba Stadium – nicknamed The Black Hell – is famous for its intimidating atmosphere. But Atkinson is adamant Hearts will revel in trying to shut up the passionate home fans in Thessaloniki.

With a return to the Europa Conference League groups the reward, he said: “We’ll relish the atmosphere over there. It will be a different type of atmosphere, probably a lot more hostile, but you want to play in the biggest games and this, for us, is the biggest game, to move on to the next round.

“So we’ll just go there and try to get the win. We know what Ibrox and Celtic Park are like, it’s hostile, and I’ve played in plenty of big games and been at the World Cup. This is what football’s all about.”

A-League Grand Final winner, Olympian, Scottish Cup finalist, European group stage football and the World Cup finals – it has been a whirlwind couple of years for the 24-year-old. Atkinson said: “I’ve had a lot of experiences – the Olympics, World Cup, Europe and we had a Scottish Cup Final as well.

“These are the games you want to play in and they give you something to work towards. It’s every little boy’s dream to play at a World Cup and you never really think you’re going to get there. It makes all the sacrifices worthwhile.

“Football moves so quickly that probably two years ago I wouldn’t even have thought about being in the national team. Then everything comes so quickly and moving overseas