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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Hearts starting team to face Istanbul Basaksehir as Robbie Neilson rings changes for Euro clash

Robbie Neilson has made several changes as his Hearts side bring their European adventure to a close in Istanbul.

The Jambos have played eight games in total on the big stage this season after starting out in the Europa League play-off round against FC Zurich before dropping into the Europa Conference League group stages following a two-legged defeat to the Swiss champions.

It's not been all doom and gloom in the section with the capital club giving the fans an away day to remember in Riga before dumping RFS once again at a packed out Tynecastle to pick up two wins over the group bottom seeds. Istanbul Basaksehir - tonight's opponents - and Fiorentina were always going to be that major step up in class with the three games to date against the duo proving vital on the experience front for a number of Neilson's squad.

READ MORE: Hearts set for Spain training camp as Robbie Neilson confirms hopes to play friendly

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The campaign comes to a finish in Turkey this afternoon, and speaking in the build-up, the Hearts boss said: "Of course, we’re looking forward to the game tomorrow night, but we’re already thinking about getting back here next season. We’ve tasted it. Learn some good lessons. Also learnt some harsh lessons.

"We’ve got a lot of fans coming over to Istanbul so it’s important we put on a performance for them. The last couple of performances have been very good. We’ve shown energy and hunger.

“There’ll be a few changes to the team tomorrow because we’ve got some big games coming up in the league before he head to the World Cup break but it’ll still be a strong Hearts side we put out.

“We’re starting to get there with injuries. We’ve been able to get Atkinson back in and Rowles and Halkett are back in training. They key is not to push them too far before they’re ready. We did that with Halkett before a European game and he broke down.

“We’re always learning.”

HEARTS XI: Gordon, Atkinson, M. Smith, Sibbick, Neilson, Cochrane, Grant, Devlin, C. Smith, Forrest, Henderson

Subs: Stewart, Clark, Kiomourtzoglou, Shankland, Halliday, McKay, Ginnelly, Pollock

READ NEXT:

- Hearts urged to channel Premiership focus as Jambos warned against difficult World Cup break spot

- Hearts planning January transfer activity as Robbie Neilson outlines aims for winter window

- Hearts hero Colin Cameron explains 'strange' connection with Hibs favourite after football return

- Hearts fight valiant Celtic battle but lose out in VAR dominated thriller - three things we learned

- Hearts tie down Finlay Pollock to long-term deal as Joe Savage lists key attributes

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