GMS is wary of Mesut Ozil but refuses to be fazed by German wizard
Hearts’ hosting of Istanbul Basaksehir this week will reignite Gary MackaySteven’s love affair with European football.
The Edinburgh club take on a side containing Mesut Ozil at Tynecastle on Thursday evening in the first of their Europa Conference League group ties.
With Mackay-Steven now fit again, the winger can expect to be involved as his team look to shrug off the disappointment of their recent cup setbacks against FC Zurich and Kilmarnock.
It will be 11 years since GMS came off the subs bench to make his European debut for Dundee United against Slask Wroclaw, and the Jambos will be the fourth different Scottish side he has played for in continental competition.
“The European games are definitely be up there as some of the highlights of my career,” said the 31-year-old as he reflected on previous campaigns with United, Celtic and Aberdeen.
“They are something I have loved. The build-up is always a bit bigger, and they are usually night games, under the lights in front of full houses. There is just a different feel to them.
“You know you need to be on it, because everything goes up a gear.
“The pace can be sharp and, depending on the team, you are maybe up against a different style of play. But normally that brings out the best in you.
“Some of the stadiums you visit are quite iconic, and the different atmospheres you get for European games adds something.
“You saw that with the game here against FC Zurich. It was amazing.
“Probably my favourite experience, though, was the two ties I played against Inter Milan soon after joining Celtic at the start of 2015.
“Very randomly, I had some Inter Milan tops when I was younger, the blue and the black. I had about three of them, so to go to the San Siro was special.
“We could not get through to the Europa League groups, but the draw for the Conference League group has been good, with Fiorentina and Istanbul coming here for
what should be a couple of huge games.”
The winger is no stranger to such occasions. He also played in Celtic’s 1-1 Champions League draw against Manchester City at the Etihad, and scored a penalty against Nick Pope when Aberdeen drew with Burnley at Pittodrie in the Europa League.
He acknowledges Mesut Ozil, a World Cup winner with Germany in 2014 and a star in club football with both Arsenal and Real Madrid, will warrant the watching – despite edging closer to his 34th birthday.
“He was obviously a top, top player and is one we will look to keep quiet,” said Mackay-Steven.
“That is the thing when you play in Europe. You will come up against big names,
but you cannot allow yourself to get overawed.
“The beauty of football it that it is 11 v 11, and if you are on your game, you can be a match for anyone.
“Hopefully all the boys in our changing-room can rise to the challenge, and I’m sure they can. We are not just there to make up the numbers.
“I think second in the group has to be our target, and to achieve that, the home games are going to be important.
“Going out of the Premier Sports Cup to Kilmarnock was a setback, but we have to put that behind us and work hard to get ourselves prepared for Istanbul.
“When we are on it, I believe the goals we have in the team can make us a danger to anyone.”