Atmosphere at Hibs will be Poles apart
ANDRAZ STRUNA hopes Hearts can provide him with a springboard to both domestic and international glory at Hampden.
The Slovenian defender has 25 caps for his country but, thanks to a nine-month spell without a club, has not been called up for their last four matches.
After being snapped up by the Jam Tarts in January, Struna is determined to repay the favour – and seal an international return for next month’s World Cup qualifier with Scotland.
“The national team is a big motivation for me,” he said.
“I have been out for a lot of months and it is my wish to play for them again.
“But all I can do is focus on today and how hard I work. Doing this will bring me results.
“It is about my consistency and how I play, that’s the key.”
Struna’s performances so far have been impressive.
Wednesday’s Scottish Cup replay with Hibs will provide him with another big stage on which to shine.
And the 27-year-old, who has experienced the madness of Polish football’s Krakow derby, is relishing the prospect.
“I enjoyed the first match a lot – I’m talking about the atmosphere, not the game!” he said.
“I played in Poland, in the derby between Cracovia and Wisla Krakow, and that is the same sort of level and that same rivalry between fans.
“The atmosphere is crazy and there have been times when the away fans have not been allowed to attend because of the fighting between supporters.
“They needed to do something to stop the violence on the streets.
“But I like to play in games like this, when there is so much support and it matters so much.
“When we (Cracovia) played away, the fans were allowed in the stadium, but when Wisla came to our stadium their fans were not allowed to come.
“It was played in front of just the Cracovia supporters. That was very strange – but you need to stop the violence.
“On Wednesday night we must not let the atmosphere affect us.
“All we are going to do there is play football and win.”