Norwegian pitch worries Jefferies

HEARTS manager Jim Jefferies expressed concern about playing on Tromso's artificial pitch after the Europa League draw set up a probable trip to northern Norway for the Edinburgh side.

Hearts will face Tromso or Paksi of Hungary in the third qualifying round, with the first leg away from home on 28 July. Tromso secured a 1-1 draw in Hungary on Thursday night and Jefferies anticipates a match against the Norwegians.

Jefferies told Hearts TV: "I don't know anything about the Hungarian team but it looks like Tromso are the favourites now because the return leg is in Norway and they have the away goal. It's a tough draw. They are second in the league. Norwegians are always strong and well organised and my biggest concern is that it will be on an astro pitch.

"So it's not the best of draws but you have to take what you get and adapt and get on with it. It's a very interesting tie and we'll look forward to it. If the tie is alive it could be one of those famous European nights at Tynecastle."

Jefferies is familiar with the territory following a scouting trip earlier in his career. He said: "When I was there someone said it's only a 45-minute flight to the North Pole."