Laszlo's first game in charge was in the friendly defeat to Glentoran

Hearts new manager Csaba Laszlo says his side must force themselves into contention for a place in Europe after last season's disappointing finish.

The Tynecastle club were left languishing in eighth position in the Scottish Premier League following a turbulent, inconsistent campaign.

"Hearts is the oldest club in Edinburgh and the first step is to be the number one club in the city," Laszlo said.

"The second step for this season is to get back into Europe."

The 44-year-old former Ferencv�ros and Borussia M�nchengladbach coach says it will take hard work but believes Hearts are ready to embark on the upcoming season with renewed belief.

"We are here to be better and to bring success back to the club," Laszlo told BBC Sport.

"And I think if we take it step by step this is possible."

Romania-born Laszlo's first experience in the Hearts dugout ended in a 6-5 penalty shootout defeat as Glentoran won the Umbro Trophy in Belfast on Monday.

The Edinburgh club's first pre-season friendly since the summer break yielded a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.

Laszlo picked the team just three days after his appointment but was unconcerned by the outcome.

"We can't just look at results; we need to get back the confidence of this team," Laszlo said.

"The team also needs more leadership on the pitch.

"But for now we can't talk about finishing first, second or third. I don't know what place we will finish and a coach who promises anything doesn't think real.

"Hearts finished eighth last season and we must aim higher than that and qualify for European football," he concluded.