TONY WATT completed his season-long loan from Charlton to Hearts after undergoing a medical yesterday but a groin injury and a Europa League signing deadline means he is not available for this evening’s visit of Birkirkara.

However, that has not stopped him from targeting a debut in the third round qualifier against Russian side Krasnodar, though Robbie Neilson’s side must first see off the Maltese outfit in tonight’s second leg following the goalless trip away.

“I just need game time,” the former Celtic striker said.

“I’m not far away, I would hope to be involved in the first leg and hopefully a big part in the second leg, and hopefully for the first game of the season against Celtic.”

One of his new team-mates, Jamie Walker, would also enjoy a trip to Russia but is not taking anything for granted after witnessing the dogged way tonight’s opponents set out to frustrate in their home leg seven days ago. He hopes a big home crowd can unsettle Birkirkara and their game plan, but expectations of victory are such that there also remains the danger the Hearts support could work against their team if patience wears thin.

“I’m enjoying playing in Europe, it’s something different from the Premiership and if we win, we have a great tie to look forward to in Russia,” Walker said. “We were the better team in the first leg and we created the better chances, so we are confident.

“With the crowd behind us and the bigger pitch – and cooler weather – hopefully we can grab an early goal.

“Patience will be key. They are going to sit in and knock the ball from side to side. Hopefully the fans can stick with us as well and we can repay them.

“Birkirkara were well organised. Everyone knew what they were doing and they had some experienced boys. But I thought we were the better team and we deserved more than a draw.”

Watt, meanwhile, believes home comforts can help him thrive at Tynecastle, with the striker planning to move back in with his parents.

Having struggled to realise his full potential, Watt insists the stability of being back in the family home can help him put all his energy into football.

He said: “I’m still young and I know I’ve got my career in front of me. I want to come back and play games.

“Hearts are a big club and I want to come back and get some stability in my life and kick on.

“It won’t take me time to settle. I want to play 40 games a season and I want to be back closer to my family, sometimes it’s difficult being away.

“I know people will say, ‘he’s a footballer’, but sometimes it’s difficult being away from home since I was 18, 19 and maybe it’s time for a year or two to come back and settle down and kick on.”