Ryan Stevenson is confident that Hearts can show that they are no one-season wonders. Hearts made it into the Europe League after finishing in third placed behind Celtic and champions Rangers. Stevenson was thrilled to have a key role to play in those achievements and he insists building on the foundations of last season in the months ahead is crucial.
He said: "You don't want to just do it one season and the next you just fall away. I'm sure as soon as we come back in the manager will be putting that point across to us. Looking back we had an exceptional season - we chased Rangers and Celtic until around March. With the signings we've made and experience we've maybe gained from that, we want to do well in Europe and push them a bit harder next year."
Stevenson's performances earned him the offer of a one-year-contract extension which he signed last week. And he is now looking forward to his first taste of European football. he and his teammates will learn who they will face in the third qualifying round when the draw takes place on 15 July. Stevenson went on: "It'll be a new experience for me. Every time I do these interviews I say if I look back a year and a half ago I'm playing with Ayr United and now I have the chance of playing in Europe. It's a massive step for me and it's what every footballer wants - to be playing in Europe."