Omonia can turn up the heat on Hearts

AS a seeded club, Hearts will be regarded favourites no matter who they draw in the third qualifying round of the Europa League on July 15. However, several potential destinations would still fall into the "undesirable" category. Cyprus could well top that list.

Bruno Aguiar, the former Tynecastle midfielder, pictured, speaks nonchalantly of the hostility lying in wait on the Mediterranean island for any foreign team. His current club, Omonia Nicosia, are amongst the non-seeds who could be paired with Hearts in the aforementioned draw. Other hazardous non-seeds include clubs from Israel, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

To Aguiar the virulent atmosphere in Cyprus is normal after two years with Omonia, but for non-locals Nicosia will be a bed of searing venom. The Pancyprian Gymnastic Association Stadium (GSP Stadium) is home to the Kifines, the hardcore Omonia support whose name translates literally as "male bees". The venue holds less than 23,000 but, with temperatures touching 35C for evening kick-offs, it is no place for faint hearts. More a place for fainting, according to Aguiar.

"It would be nice to play Hearts but, for them, the weather will be very hot inside our stadium," said the Portuguese, ruminating over a possible reunion with his former employers. "The players from Hearts will not be able to breathe if they come here. When I played my first game there (in July 2009), kick-off was three o'clock and it was 40 degrees. Even at six or seven o'clock it can be 33 or 34 degrees, it is very difficult to play in.

"I could not breathe in my first game and I found it hard at first. When time passed I became more familiar with it and now I feel good. In big games the fans make a lot of noise and other teams get scared because of our supporters. It is very difficult to play against us in big games. I hope we have this atmosphere in the Europa League matches.

"Last year we did not get the chance to play in Europe. In the last minute of the game we lost a goal and lost the chance to make the Europa League. This year we hoped to get there and I think we deserved it. We played well and now, in two years, we have won three trophies. Now we need to go to the Europa League, the club needs this."

For all the emotion which would accompany a tie with Hearts, Aguiar would rather avoid facing his former club. He acknowledges them as strong opposition harbouring the ability to eliminate Omonia. But, quite simply, he wants both teams to progress.

"It would be nice to play against Hearts and go back to Tynecastle but it would not be my first choice," continued Aguiar, whose former Hearts colleague Christos Karipidis is also an Omonia player. "If we play Hearts then one of my teams will go out, either Hearts or Omonia. It would be nice to go back to Edinburgh, I miss Edinburgh. It would be good in that way but in the other way it would be very bad if one of the clubs is put out of the Europa League.

"I had very good times in Edinburgh and it is always difficult to play against teams you like. But we are professionals and if I play against Hearts I must be strong for my team. I won't think about it. After the game, I will like Hearts again like before. This is normal in football.

"Christos feels the same. He was happy in Edinburgh and everybody liked us. When we leave we miss the people all the time because they liked us. I receive messages on Facebook every day from people asking me to come back. It's good for me, football players need this to feel confident."

Aguiar and Karipidis are popular figures amongst the Kifines and their commitment to Omonia was underlined earlier this week when both players, and some of their better-paid team-mates, agreed to a wage cut to help with club finances.

Considerable money has been invested in Cypriot football in recent seasons and the Omonia owners are now expecting a return on their investment. The club finished second in the Cypriot First Division last season and Aguiar senses anticipation building already ahead of the foray into Europe.

"The first year here was not so good for me, it was too much stress for the team because we had not won the championship for seven years. I understand that this happens in football. When clubs buy players and pay them good money they expect good results.

"Now I feel much better. The last 12 months have been much easier. In two years we have won everything - the Championship, the Cup and the Super Cup. Now we need to play in the Europa League to try to win there. This is good for us.

"We know the Europa League is not easy but everybody has been waiting for this chance. We must wait to see who we play and we must have luck. If we play Hearts I don't want to think about losing because I want to play in the Europa League. If they won we would give them congratulations but I don't think that would happen.

"There is not a big difference between the teams. It is all about what happens on the pitch. Some small details can decide the game at this level. We cannot say we would be favourites or Hearts favourites."

Aguiar would rather avoid the issue altogether. The prospect of Hearts meeting Omonia sends a shiver down his spine. There may be a few in Edinburgh with similar reservations if they are asked to visit Nicosia in a few weeks' time.