Hearts head coach Neil Critchley has urged his side to play with “courage” in Denmark as they seek a Conference League upset against an FC Copenhagen team he believes are on a par with the Old Firm.
Jacob Neestrup’s side, who currently top the Danish league and beat Manchester United on their way to the Champions League round of 16 last season, are a point worse off than Hearts after four Conference League games.
“Copenhagen are on the same level as them [the Old Firm],” said Critchley.
“We know the level our game is going to have to be at to compete. But we have competed in those games for long spells and we have created chances in those games as well.
“We know we will have to be good without the ball because we are playing against a good team technically who control the game, but also we have to be good on the ball.
“We need to make sure when we win it back we don’t just turn over and give them it back. We have to have courage and play our game and make it our game as best as it can be.”
