KINGSLEY HAS EYES FIXED ON EURO GIANTS
HEARTS ..... 2 CRAWLEY ..... 2
STEPHEN KINGSLEY knows the prize in store if Hearts make it through the Europa League play-off round next month.
And the left-back insists Robbie Neilson’s charges will give their all to book their spot alongside some of Europe’s biggest names.
Kingsley is excited to get his first taste of continental club competition.
With Manchester United, Arsenal and Roma already in the Europa League group stage, Kingsley knows that is a massive incentive for the Tynecastle outfit.
They will discover their play-off opponent on August 2 and although they have the safety net of Conference League group stage football, Kingsley wants to be going up against some of Europe’s top guns in the bigger of the two tournaments.
The 27-year-old said: “I’ve never played in European competition before, so I’m looking forward to it. I’m absolutely buzzing.
“We know one or two of them, only the teams already in the group stage.
“Man United, Arsenal and Roma are in it, so there are massive teams. Whoever we get in the last qualifying round will be a massive team as well because of the stage that it’s at.
“The teams in the Europa League are amazing, so that’s a huge carrot for us but with the knowledge that – whatever the case – we’re going to get European football until the World Cup.
“It’s going to be a great experience for everyone.”
Kingsley gave Hearts a two-goal cushion in their latest pre-season clash as he blasted an unstoppable 25-yard drive before heading home from a Jorge Grant corner.
But they wilted after the break as the midweek trip to Tranmere caught up with them and Crawley came back with a quickfire Dom Telford double.
Kingsley knows after their Euro ties on a Thursday, the Jambos will have to be ready for Sunday football.
He said: “It’s a privilege to go and play in Europe but it comes with that responsibility of making sure when you get back, your eyes are back on the league and getting a win.”