Hearts dropped out of the Conference League after a disappointing 2-2 home draw with Moldovan minnows Petrocub cost them the chance to progress to play-off round.
A win over a Petrocub side who had taken just one point from their previous five matches in the tournament would have been enough to keep Neil Critchley’s side in the top 24 and take them into Friday’s play-off draw.
"Only ourselves to blame."
Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland gives a critical reflection on their loss to Petrocub which saw their exit from Europe. 🗣️
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But after fighting back from 1-0 down at half-time to lead 2-1 through goals from teenager James Wilson and substitute Blair Spittal, an 83rd-minute penalty from Victor Mudrac meant the Jambos ended up failing to make it through the group stage despite winning their first two matches.
‘Only ourselves to blame’
Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland told TNT Sports: “We’ve only got ourselves to blame.
“They were solid defensively and hard to break down. The boys showed good character at times because it got hostile out there.
From that [winning] position we should really win the game. I didn’t feel the boys didn’t try or work hard, it was just a lack of quality.
“It’s not been there all season, it’s been disappointing.”
Table-toppers Chelsea are the only British side still in the competition as Welsh side The New Saints also went out, losing 3-2 in Slovenia to Celje. Craig Harrison’s team exit with five defeats from six games.
Northern Ireland’s Larne were already out before the final night of the league stage – but their maiden European campaign ended with a historic win, as they beat Belgian outfit Genk 1-0 at Windsor Park.
