Heart of Midlothian fans have been encouraged to congregate in the Eiermarkt area in Bruges city centre ahead of the Conference League clash on Thursday evening with Cercle Brugge.

More than 3,000 Hearts fans will descend on the Belgian city ahead of tomorrow's fixture with the allocation of 3,124 snapped up.

With the Christmas markets scattered around Bruges, supporters can meet at the square in Eiermarkt, just off the main Grote Markt square which sits under the Belfort. There a number of pubs and restaurants in the vicinity. 

Free shuttle buses will be made available for travel out to the Jan Breydel stadium. They will leave from Vrijdagmarkt square in the west of the city centre and begin to depart from 4.30pm with the last one leaving at 5.45pm. They will bring the fans back to the city centre after the match.

Supporters who have travelled without a ticket are asked not to travel to the stadium while fans have been warned they will be asked to leave any pubs that are around the stadium.

"Shuttles will be escorted by police and the drive takes about 10 minutes," a Hearts statement said. "The meeting point for the shuttles will be marked with LED-boarding.

"The stadium is located 6km away from the centre, therefore supporters will not be permitted to walk to the stadium due to safety reasons.

"Supporters are advised not to visit the home end of the stadium prior to kick-off. If supporters are found in the pubs surrounding the stadium, they will be asked to leave and head towards the city centre, where the designated meeting point for Hearts fans is situated.

"Fans who use their own transportation to come to Bruges are requested to park in the city centre and use the shuttles towards the stadium.  There are plenty of parking lots around the city centre.

"Only regular coaches and minibuses will be allowed on the visitors parking at the stadium, as well as private transportation of disabled people. No private cars.

"Buses that are coming to Bruges and would like to leave immediately after the game, can first drop their passengers in the city centre (Vrijdagmarkt or Bargeweg) and drive empty to the parking lot at the stadium (Doornstraat). 

"Fans on these buses then can use the free shuttles to the stadium and after the game go back with their own coach that will be waiting for them at the stadium exit."

The club will release further information regarding entry to the stadium and the facilities available inside on matchday.