Viktoria Plzen get Hearts helping hand for Europa League decider as Miro Koubek thanks Czech blazers

Viktoria Plzen boss Miroslav Koubek has thanked Czech football chiefs for cancelling their weekend fixture and allowing them to fully focus on their Europa League group play-off with Hearts, writes Scott Burns in the Czech Republic.

Viktoria travel to Edinburgh for Thursday’s return, looking to protect the slender 1-0 advantage they hold over the Jambos from Thursday’s first leg. The Plzen club was due to play Sigma Olomouc at home on Sunday but the Football Association of the Czech Republic have agreed to cancel the fixtures of all the club’s who are in the midst of European qualification, including Slavia Prague’s clash with Mlada Boleslav.

Koubek: "Yes, I am very glad for this decision. I am very glad the Czech football association supports the teams playing in Europe so we save some energy, especially for the midfield players who are very active in how they play. It is a very good decision and I'm glad for this."

Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes had considered asking the Scottish Premiership fixture at Aberdeen on Sunday but decided against it. Killie lost 2-0 in Copenhagen on Thursday and will entertain them at Rugby Park next week.

Hearts also face an away trip on Sunday to Motherwell before they take on Viktoria Plzen again. The winners will go into the group section of the Europa League with the losers having the safety net of a campaign in the Europa Conference League.