Robbie Neilson shrugs off Hearts Europa League safety net poser as he throws down FC Zurich gauntlet

Robbie Neilson insists Hearts have zero intention of requiring a European safety net as they attempt to navigate a Europa League play-off against FC Zurich.

The Tynecastle boss is adamant the consolation of a place in the Europa Conference League which would come with failure hasn't been given any consideration. A first-leg clash with the Swiss champions tonight at St Gallen's Kybunpark comes before a winner-takes-all second-leg in Gorgie next Thursday and Neilson believes he's only got eyes for a Europa League place and not it's wee brother as they make their continental return after a six year absence.

Neilson said: “I say it all the time - when you play with Hearts you’re expected to win every game. Our fans expect us to come here, put a performance on and win the game. If we do that we get into the Europa League, that’s what we’re aiming to do.

“Then it will be the same when we go to Parkhead on Sunday, and again next Thursday.

“So we’re not going ‘Let’s try and get a draw, let’s give ourselves something to play for at Tynecastle', we want to win the game.

"It's about coming here to win but we are under no illusions that we are playing against a very good team. They are the Swiss champions and have international players. We are away from home and at a different venue so it's going to be tough.

"We think we have a good group here and we believe if we give it our best shot and bring our best game then we think we've got a chance."

The Swiss champions have taken a meagre two points from their opening five Super League games but Neilson is reading nothing into a tie against a side which comprehensively saw off Irish side Linfield by 5-0 on aggregate in their previous qualifier and would have preferred a far greater