Robbie Neilson bristles at Hearts 'self doubt' poser as he stays firm in Europa Conference League belief

Robbie Neilson insists Hearts have earned the right not to feel like European group stage gatecrashers.

The Tynecastle boss is also adamant there's no fear or any inferiority complex ahead of tonight's clash with Turkish giants Istanbul Basaksehir which will get their Europa Conference League campaign off and running. It's a first Euro group clash for 18 years in Gorgie and Neilson shrugged off a recent run of just one win in their last six games including a Premier Sports Cup exit at home to Kilmarnock.

After parachuting into UEFA's third tier competition on the back of a Europa League play-off defeat to FC Zurich, the Jambos gaffer is convinced his players are more than capable they can shine at this level and bristled at a suggestion self-doubt could come into the equation. He said: "There's none of that. We have earned the right to be here, we've shown we can do it. We were consistent in the league last season and we deserve to be here but we have to prove it every time we play in these competitions.

"I think the players can play at this level, I think they believe they can. It's about pitting ourselves against some top teams in Europe, international players who have played for huge clubs. Some guys there have played for Milan and other teams in Europe. It's a chance for our players to see where they are at that level.

"We have a lot of young guys and hopefully they will recognise that they can play at that level. The home game against Zurich cleared a lot of doubts for the players about 'can they perform at that level'. They have proved they can."

The Turks haven't lost any of their 17 competitive fixtures since back in March and have yet to concede a goal in their four league games in the current campaign but