Rosenborg set for Hearts spying mission as Norwegians ready to 'cheat a little' for Conference League edge

There will be spies from Norway at Hearts ' season opener against St Johnstone as Rosenborg run the rule over their Euro opponents.

The Tynecastle team well jet across the North Sea next week ahead of Europa Conference League third qualifying tie in Trondheim after Rosenborg needed extra time to beat Northern Irish side Crusaders, eventually winning 4-3 on aggregate after two 2-2 draws over 180 minutes.

Steven Naismith and Frankie McAvoy get their Premiership campaign underway in Perth on Saturday with a big travelling support expected ahead of the trip to Scandinavia a few days later. And Rosenborg boss Svein Maalen has already started the preparations for the game by dispatching some of his staff to Perth. He said: "It will be exciting to face a Scottish team. I expect Hearts to be a different challenge even though they are from the same area as Crusaders We will already know a little about them because we have to cheat a little by watching them!

"That's why we will send some people to Scotland to watch them at the weekend It's extremely important we take advantage of being at home first and make a strong start."

Meanwhile, Rosenborg goal hero Leo Cornic expects a tough battle against the Jambos, after he netted an extra time winner against the Belfast outfit. He said: "Hearts are a club with a good culture, a nice history and a lot of fans. So I expect a British team with a lot of punch.

"It will be two very cool matches. I think Hearts will play a bit more football and play at a higher tempo than Crusaders."