Andy Thomson relishes Real Sociedad tie, recalls buying their kits for his children | OneFootball

Real Sociedad visit Edinburgh tonight to face Hearts in the Women's Europa Cup round of 32 first leg, kicking off at 20.00 Gipuzkoa time. According to Diario Vasco, it is their first match in the city and only their third trip to Scotland.

Previous visits came with the men's team against Celtic in the 1982/93 European Cup and Aberdeen in 2014/15 Europa League qualifying.

Hearts head coach Andy Thomson, appointed this summer, says the occasion is special as the Edinburgh club make their European debut, and because he feels a connection with La Real. He remembers buying Real Sociedad shirts for his children when they were very popular a few years ago. Reasons for that popularity could include regular European campaigns, the Aberdeen tie more than 10 years ago, or the signing of Tierney in 2023/2024.

Thomson added that facing teams with such history, often linked to good football, is brilliant for his side.

Although Gorka Álvarez's team have yet to win this season, he said that after analysing their last four or five games he sees a good team and expects Hearts to see less of the ball than usual.

In Scotland there is a clear gap between the leading five clubs, Rangers, Celtic, Glasgow City, Hearts and Hibernian, and the rest, so Hearts typically control games against mid and lower-ranked opposition.

Source: Diario Vasco

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”