Source: Team_Talk
Stevenson wary of Spurs test
Ryan Stevenson is fully aware of the daunting challenge that awaits Hearts in Thursday's Europa League play-off first leg with Tottenham. [LNB] Stevenson signed for Hearts in February 2010 from Ayr United and in 18 months has gone from preparing to face Brechin to steeling himself for a meeting with one of the Barclays Premier League's elite.[LNB]Stevenson said: "They've got single players worth £30-£40million, which could probably buy (all the players in) the SPL, the First, the Second and the Third (Divisions) - we're probably lucky if we've got players worth £200,000.[LNB]"We know it's going to be a very, very big task for us but the manager (Paulo Sergio) has prepared us well.[LNB]"It's a game we're looking forward to and can't wait for.[LNB]"It's about going home tonight and resting up and not thinking about it too much, because if you think about it too much it's quite a scary thing."[LNB]Stevenson scored twice in the second leg of the last round against Hungary's Paks, but tomorrow's opposition is of a different calibre.[LNB]Spurs beat defending champions Inter Milan in last season's Champions League and AC Milan before being eliminated at the quarter-final stage by Real Madrid.[LNB]Stevenson followed Spurs' European adventure, but was trying to put memories, including Gareth Bale's hat-trick in the San Siro, to the back of his mind.[LNB]He added: "I watched them, but I'm trying to forget about them just now.[LNB]"On their day they could probably give most teams in the world a good game.[LNB]"We know the task that lies ahead of us is a very, very difficult one, but you've got to go in thinking you've got a chance of winning.[LNB]"If you go in thinking you're going to get beaten inevitably that's what's going to happen.[LNB]"We're positive, we know it's going to be a hard task, but it's a game we're looking forward to."[LNB]The match has been billed as a 'Battle of Britain' and Stevenson is determined Hearts will do Scotland proud.[LNB]He added: "The last thing we want is to go out and play bad, have a bad result, because the headlines on Friday morning will be 'Scottish football's down in the doldrums'.[LNB]"We're positive about it and the 11 players that will play tomorrow night will fight for each other.[LNB]"If we do that then I'm sure we can make a bit of history."
