Hearts' Neil Critchley is expecting a "real test" from Omonia Nicosia despite the Cypriot team's indifferent form as the new manager prepares for his first taste of European competition.

The Englishman enjoyed a 4-0 home win over St Mirren on his debut at the weekend, lifting the Edinburgh club off the foot of the Scottish Premiership.

Hearts' only other victory this season came in their Conference League opener away to Dinamo Minsk three weeks ago.

Six points would put them in a strong position going into the remaining games against Heidenheim, Cercle Brugge, Copenhagen and Petrocub.

"Managing against a team like Omonoia is one of the reasons why I came to this club, without a shadow of a doubt," said Critchley.

"We want to be a club that's in Europe and competing against the best. You see today, how the ground is being prepared, it feels different. There's a special feeling about it. I’m sure the supporters are excited."

Omonia have lost three of their last four league matches, with head coach Valdas Dambrauskas issuing an apology after Saturday's home defeat to Enosis.

"It’s a real test," insisted Critchley. "If you watch the game that they played at the weekend, nine times out of 10 they'd win. They were the dominant team, so we're not fooled by that defeat.

"They've got some really exciting attacking players. They like to dominate the ball and if you look at the background to some of their players, what they’ve achieved, we give full respect to who they are.

"But we always concentrate on us, how we can improve and get better. We respect the opponent but come Thursday, it’s about us and how we play. We’re at home, so we have to use that to our advantage."

With no injury worries and a hectic schedule ahead, including Sunday's derby at Easter Road, Critchley may be tempted to make a few changes.

"To play the way that we want to play, with energy and intensity then you have to manage the squad," he said.

Like most of the opponents Hearts will face in the Conference League, Omonia are capable of making life tricky but should not strike fear into those at Tynecastle.

Currently sixth in the Cyprus First League after losing their last two games without scoring, the Nicosia side have also lost their last two away games.

Even their 4-0 win over Icelandic side Vikingur in their opener is not as impressive as it looks, with three late goals adding gloss to the scoreline after a competitive game.

Their most recognisable faces are former Manchester City, Inter Milan and Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic, who won this tournament with Olympiakos last term, and centre-back Filip Helander, who won the league with Rangers in 2021.

However, the former cannot play in Europe after signing after the registration deadline, while Helander is not a nailed on starter.

What they do have is players with international experience - particularly with Cyprus - and some European pedigree in recent years.

Back in 2022, under Neil Lennon, they played Manchester United twice in the Europa League group stage and pushed Erik Ten Hag's side to the limit before losing 3-2 at home and 1-0 at Old Trafford, thanks to Scott McTominay's stoppage-time strike.

Now managed by experienced Lithuanian Valdas Dambrauskas, they usually play 4-3-3 and have some good attacking players.

Cameroonian winger Saidou Alioum is quick and scored an excellent individual goal against Vikingur, while Polish striker Marius Stepinski has six goals this season and has played in Serie A and Ligue 1 in his career, as well as earning four international caps.

At the back, Brazilian goalkeeper Fabiano made one incredible save against Vikingur and has been at Porto and Fenerbahce in his career, while centre-back Senou Coulibaly is a threat from set-pieces, scoring in their opener to make it five for the season.