Levein backs Hearts to come through 'interesting' tie

Former Hearts manager Craig Levein claims the Tynecastle players are in for a "very interesting experience" when they travel to Bosnia to face Siroki Brijeg in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

The first leg match at Murrayfield next Wednesday will signal the Jambos' first ever game in Europe's premier club competition.

The Gorgie club then fly out for the second leg the following week to a country still recovering from the effects of bitter ethnic conflicts before and after the break-up of the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.

Levein was in charge of the Jambos three seasons ago when they visited Bosnia to play Zeljeznicar in the second leg of their UEFA Cup first round tie, the Gorgie side drawing 0-0 to go through on a 2-0 aggregate.

The Tynecastle squad has undergone radical changes in the intervening years and Levein insists a trip to Bosnia will be an eye opener for all the new boys.

The former Leicester boss said: "Playing in Bosnia was definitely a very interesting experience.

"We played in the Olympic Stadium in Sarajevo because their ground didn't come up to UEFA standards.

"The city was still recovering and it was quite a contrast to Scotland.

"You could see where some mortar bombs had exploded and there were bullet holes everywhere in the buildings.

"There was evidence of the city getting back on its feet with some new factories and houses going up.

"I don't know where Hearts are playing the tie but I imagine smaller towns will be even further behind in development.

"The football facilities were not fantastic but we were treated well, so I think Hearts will be alright.

"It was a difficult game and not one we were expecting to win comfortably.

"We were 2-0 up from the first leg and went there to keep things tight and everything went according to plan."

Levein is confident his former club will again be good enough to overcome Bosnian opposition and win through to the next round.

He said: "You have to remember that Zeljeznicar didn't win the league the season before we played them, we played them in the UEFA Cup so I imagine Siroki Brijeg will be of a higher standard and will make it more difficult for Hearts.

"I watched Hearts in their friendly against Osasuna and it was more or less the same squad from last season although of course they are now without Andy Webster and Rudi Skacel and Paul Hartley and Jose Goncalvez are injured.

"They haven't signed any players yet this summer and I think they could do with a couple more.

"But even with the same side as they had last season, I still think they are strong enough to progress through this round."