Hearts will look to put their domestic woes behind them when they take on Dinamo Minsk in Belarus on matchday one of the Conference League on Thursday.A dismal start to the campaign saw the Jambos lose each of their first eight games in all competitions, a dreadful run of form which cost Steven Naismith his job.
B team boss Liam Fox has stepped up to take charge of the side while Tynecastle chiefs assess their options, and did manage to end their slump last Saturday as a last minute goal from skipper Lawrence Shankland rescued a point at home to Ross County.Jambos fans will perhaps be hoping that their team will fare better on the continent, and their first of six matches in the revamped Conference League group stage comes against Belarusian league champions Minsk at the Dinamo Stadium.
With no supporters allowed into the stadium by UEFA as a result of Belarus' role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is sure to be a strange atmosphere for both sides to contend with.
But is that something Hearts can use to their advantage? Here is how the Record Sport team think they will get on. It’s going to be an eerie atmosphere in the empty Sumgayit City Stadium but that could help Hearts finally get a first win of the season under their belt at the 11th attempt.
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