Petrocub in focus as Hearts prepare for crucial Conference League clash

Hearts host Petrocub in their final Conference League group-stage match on Thursday as they bid to seal a place in the knockout phase play-off round.

We look at the Moldovan outfit ahead of the crucial Tynecastle showdown.

European pedigree

Petrocub, formed in 1999, have played European football in every season since they first made it into the Europa League qualifiers in 2018.

They have exited at the qualifying rounds in every campaign until this one when they parachuted into the Conference League after losing their Champions League second qualifying round tie against APOEL and then their Europa League play-off against Ludogorets.

Their most notable European result to date was their 1-1 draw away to Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir last month.

Form

Petrocub won the Moldovan Super Liga title last term for the first time in their 25-year history and are currently third in the league.

They arrive in Edinburgh in poor form, however, after winning just two of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

They are one of only two teams already eliminated from the Conference League after taking just one point from their five matches so far.

Manager

Andrei Martin, a 50-year-old Moldovan, took charge of Petrocub in the summer of 2023 after four years as boss of Super Liga rivals Dacia Buiucani.

Martin, who played for various clubs in his homeland from the early 1990s until 2011, has also had three stints as Moldova’s assistant manager.

Players

The Petrocub squad is made up almost entirely of Moldovan players, including a smattering of internationals such as Teodor Lungu, Dan Puscas, Sergiu Platica, Victor Mudrac, Mihail Platica and Nicky Clescenco.

Vladimir Ambros and Marin Caruntu are among their main goal threats.