SK Rapid Wien visit Tynecastle for the first leg of the UEFA Conference League, play-off, first leg, on Thursday (kick-off 19.45) and they are in form at home and abroad.
Their last home outing on Sunday in Matchday Three of the Austrian Bundesliga resulted in an 8-0 win over Grazer AK and they top the Austrian Bundesliga with a 100 per cent record after three domestic games. LASK also have nine points from their three games but have a goal difference of plus eight. Rapid are two goals better off.
As a matter of interest, Sturm Graz, who thrashed Hearts 6-0 on aggregate – 4-0 in Austria and 2-0 at Tynecastle, both games in the Champions League, second qualifying round – are fourth with seven points.
Previously, Rapid beat Estonian combine, Paide Linnameeskond, 2-0 at home in the Europa Conference League, third qualifying round, second leg, for an overall aggregate of 6-1, and before that they travelled to Ried in the Austrian Bundesliga in Matchday Two and earned a 2-1 victory.
Hearts, of course, have also been among the goals. The Jambos go into the clash on the back of a 1-1 draw with highly-rated Benfica in the UEFA Europa League last Thursday, and the Portugal-based club are one of the favourites to win the competition.
They also came from behind to beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 6-2 to move into the quarter-final of the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday, four goals coming in a devastating late surge after the 82nd minute.
The fans left Tynecastle on a high on Sunday and bosses hope that their passionate supporters can help the club secure a lead to take to Austria for the return.
Wouter Vrancken, the club’s head coach, told Hearts TV that fans had an important part to play on Thursday (kick-off 19.45) and he desperately wants his players to be competitive against the visitors.
This represents Hearts’ last chance to reach a league stage in Europe and he added: “We have to put all in it to try to get there.”
Rapid are, he added, a good team who press high and apply pressure. They area also physical, but can play and the coach said: “It is always difficult when you play in Europe. We have to be top level.”
PASSION: Hearts fans have a big part to play against SK Rapid Wien. Picture Nigel Duncan
