Hearts defender Robbie Neilson is a tad nervous about the impact his side's first game in the Champions League will make on their season. The Tynecastle club will make their Champions League debut on July 25 or 26 when they take on Shakhtyor Soligorsk or Siroki Brijeg in the second qualifying round. The SPL season does not start until 5^th August which means that Hearts go into one of their most important games with just pre-season warm up games under their belt. Neilson is well aware the outcome of the tie could have a significant impact on the rest of the season. He said: "One of the biggest games of the season is going to be the first game so we have to be ready right from the start. Hopefully, we'll have as good a start as we did last season, we really started well. If we can do that, we've got a great chance of getting into the group stages of the Champions League."

Neilson remains optimistic that Hearts will not suffer the same fate as Celtic did last year. He believes success in the Champions League can act as the springboard to challenge for the SPL crown. He went on: "We have to look at the positive side of things and look to go and win these games. If we can do that, then it's a great start to the season and stands us in good stead to go and challenge for the league. Hopefully we can get into the group stages and take it from there. We also want to be challenging for all the trophies in Scotland. It's important that we win trophies and hopefully we can do that again next season."