'We hung in the tie' - Rosenborg experience 'valuable' for Naismith

Steven Naismith has urged Hearts to draw on the experience of last year's victory over Rosenborg as they look to make it past Viktoria Plzen and reach the Europa League.

The Gorgie men lost the away leg 2-1 before triumphing 3-1 at Tynecastle to book a place in the Conference League play-offs 12 months ago.

As Hearts prepare for Thursday's first leg with Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic, Naismith said: "I think it will be a great atmosphere. We need to enjoy it but two we want to embrace the challenge of reaching the Europa League. Thats what we want to achieve.

"There are a lot of similarities to the Rosenborg tie. A very good team with good young players and some experience. Thursday is going to be the same.

"In those two legs we showed we were capable. We didn’t cover ourselves in glory with our defending but we hung in the tie and that's valuable to understand.

"The game on Thursday will ebb and flow. We will be under pressure but we will get chances. None of that will define the tie if we fully focus.

"If we can get out of here with a really good performance and edging the tie it sets it up for next week.”