Hearts' Stevenson champing at the bit as Europe calls

RYAN STEVENSON can almost hear Yohann Zveig's Europa League anthem in the distance as his first European match becomes visible on the horizon. Hearts' place in the tournament's third qualifying round guarantees an exacting task to reach the group stages, but Stevenson is ready for whatever the continent throws up.

He experienced years of trawling Scotland's lower leagues with St Johnstone and Ayr United, envisaging a moment when he might grace the top level. He hasn't looked back since swapping Somerset Park for Tynecastle 18 months ago, progress illustrated by the fact he will sample European football for the first time next month.

"It's a dream come true to have the chance to play in the Europa League. Last year I was watching it on TV and to be part of it this year is going to be a big step up for me," he told the Evening News.

"For every footballer who hasn't played in Europe, it's something you want to achieve. You're in with the best of the best. Going from Ayr to Hearts was a big step for me, finishing third was another big step and now it's playing European football."

Even the prospect of travelling to Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan to face some of Europe's lesser known clubs wouldn't suppress Stevenson's enthusiasm. "Wherever you're going in Europe you want to be there. The fact that you are in the tournament will be a great experience no matter where you go. I've been to big European games and they're unlike anything else. To be part of that will be fantastic.

"You want to avoid all the good teams in the draw. Even saying that, the so-called lesser sides are going to be strong. We know we'll be in for some hard games whoever we get. Our aim is to do well in these qualifiers and get into the main tournament itself. We know it's going to be very tough but our work in pre-season will be geared to achieving that."

Celebrating his recently-signed contract extension, Stevenson exudes the aura of someone with an insatiable appetite for progress. He is still just 26 but becoming a regular fixture in the Hearts first team is not enough for the amiable midfielder. He wants his own development to continue aligned with that of his club.

For that to happen, he believes regular European football is essential. "We want to go on for years to come," he said. "It's not just going to be a one-hit wonder this European thing, it can become something we do on a regular basis. You don't want to just have one year of it and then stumble the next season. The management will be drumming that into us. We've all had a great year last year but we don't want it just to end there."

The player's personal improvement stems from training and playing alongside colleagues of a higher calibre than he was used to at St Johnstone and Ayr. He is now an established face in the SPL who has adjusted admirably to the expectations which exist at one of the biggest clubs (the third biggest according to Stevenson] in the country. Meeting those targets year on year is his next challenge. "I've learned a lot from moving up to a higher level," he explained. "Playing with better players makes you better because you're training and playing with them every day. The last year and a half has been really good for me and I don't want it to stop here. I want to keep improving as a player. I go in every day to train as hard as I can and try to better myself as a player.

"I'm at the third biggest club in Scotland so I don't need to prove myself as an SPL player any more. If I'd gone to one of the lower teams I'd maybe have settled in a bit quicker because there isn't that much expectation on you. But here the fans demand good performances from you and demand wins from you. That's what you want as a player. You want those demands on you.

"When I came here I was a new face. A lot of fans wouldn't have known me from Adam. They've helped me and I want to try and do well again this year to repay their faith."