Kilmarnock will be 'rubbing their hands' at prospect of Hearts

Hearts boss Neil Critchley believes Kilmarnock will be "rubbing their hands" at the prospect of facing the Jambos on the back of a European away game.

Critchley's side lost 2-0 to Copenhagen on Thursday night in Denmark, and will travel to Ayrshire on Sunday as they return to league duties.

"They're all big games," Critchley told HeartsTV. "Kilmarnock away, they'll be rubbing their hands together that we have played on Thursday night and it's always a tough place to go to.

"But that's the game. We have to be ready. We can't dwell on this game, keep moving forward, and we've got an important game coming up in the league now."

Hearts lost to Kilmarnock just a few weeks ago, throwing away a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at Tynecastle.

A win for Critchley's side would see them leapfrog their hosts in the table, and they could potentially rise up to eighth in the Premiership table if results go their way.