Hearts won’t be fazed by empty stadium in Azerbaijan, says interim boss Liam Fox

Liam Fox insisted Hearts will not be fazed by playing their opening Conference League match against Dinamo Minsk on Thursday behind closed doors.

The match takes place on neutral territory at the 10,500-capacity Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium in Sumqayit, Azerbaijan, with Belarusian clubs banned by UEFA from playing European ties in their own country as a result of the nation’s involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Fox feels memories of playing with no supporters in attendance in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic will ensure the Hearts players will not be spooked by playing in an empty stadium.

“No, not really,” said the interim manager when asked on Wednesday evening whether it would pose any problems for his team. “I think a lot of these boys played during the Covid times.

“Are we going to miss the supporters? Absolutely, because of what they bring in, the energy they bring in. They’re a big, big miss to us, we’re aware of that. But you can mump and moan about it, or you can just get on with it. It’s the situation and it’s just another challenge for us to overcome.”

Hearts head into their first Conference League group fixture having failed to win any of their previous 10 matches in all competitions this term, although they did at least stem an eight-game losing run in their last fixture when they salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to Ross County with an equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

“It would be lovely to get our first win of the season,” said Fox. “We’re conscious there will be loads of Hearts supporters in pubs and houses back at home.

“We can never promise that we’re going to win, but we’ll do everything we can to try and get that win.”

Hearts’ involvement in the Conference League is reward for the fact they finished third in the Scottish Premiership last term, 12 points clear of their nearest chasers.

Despite their poor start to the current campaign, Fox is adamant they should relish their clash with Minsk, who are second in the Belarusian top-flight with just one defeat in 20 league matches.

“We’re looking forward to the game, the feeling in the group is of excitement,” said Fox.

“The majority of the players in the group just now worked so hard to get this opportunity, to get to this level. They had a brilliant season last year so they need to go and enjoy this.

“But the best way of enjoying it is putting on a performance and if you put on a performance, you get your best chance of taking three points.”