Conference League: Dinamo Minsk v Hearts
Date: Thursday 4 Oct Venue: Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium, Sumqayit, Azerbaijan Kick-off: 17:45 BST
Coverage: Radio Scotland commentary & text updates on the BBC Sport website & app.
Experience of empty stadiums during the Covid epidemic will ensure Hearts can deal with playing their opening Conference League match against Dinamo Minsk behind closed doors, says interim head coach Liam Fox.
The match takes place on neutral territory at the Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium in Sumqayit, Azerbaijan, since Belarusian clubs are banned by Uefa from playing European ties in their own country due to their nation’s involvement in Russia’s war with Ukraine.
“A lot of these lads will have played through Covid times which is probably quite similar,” said Fox.
“All I can say is we are looking forward to it. We can’t look for excuses. That’s not the mentality we are looking for. It’s just a different challenge to overcome.
“I believe in the group and that we can go out and get a result wherever we play.”
Sumqayit is a 75-minute drive from the Azerbaijan capital Baku, a six-hour flight away from Edinburgh.
“The trip has been fine,” said Fox. “The preparation was all done before I came into this role. Planning has been great, hotel is great, flight was great so we are excited to be here.”
Fox has been promoted from the B team to take over from Steven Naismith, who was sacked after eight successive defeats, and Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ross County made it 10 games without a win for Hearts this season.
“I’m learning every day,” he said. “Especially in this interim role as I know it’s only for a short period.
“What I will say is the players’ attitude and application has been really good.”
Minsk are 20 games into their domestic league campaign and sit second in the Premiere League, three points behind Neman Grodno with three games in hand.
“They are on a really good run of form and have some talented players with a physicality,” said Fox.
“You don’t play bad sides at this stage of European football. It’s going to be a challenge.
“My sole focus is always us. How can we effect the game? How will we be without the ball? How are we going to be with the ball?”
Team news
“Everybody is fit and healthy so I have some selection headaches, which is good,” said Fox.
Midfielder Malachi Boateng, winger Yutaro Oda and left-back Andres Salazar are in the travelling party, having been excluded from Fox’s squad for the weekend draw at home to Ross County.