Heart of Midlothian

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hearts defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott described his team's 4-0 loss to Sturm Graz as "embarrassing", but says they remain optimistic about the return leg of their Champions League qualifier next week.

Fagan-Walcott made his competitive debut in the match and says that, despite the heavy loss, there were signs of positivity.

"It's just tough to take. I think when you look at the stats of the game and everything, it's not a 4-0, but at this level, you have to take your chances," he said.

"We got chances as well, and if we take them, it looks like a different game. But we just have to look to the next one at Tynecastle and try to do as much as we can, because the tie is not over until the 90th minute at Tynecastle.

The 24-year-old added: "We can't make excuses. We have only had a short time together, but we're all grown-ups and we all take accountability, so we have to keep going.

"Of course it's embarrassing, it's 4-0, but these are things in football that happen. If we get too embarrassed and sink, and go to Tynecastle like that, it'll just get worse.

"So, we'll take the embarrassment. We'll take it and we'll use it as strength for next week. That's when you need to just come together as a group and try to do the right things."

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Tuesday's bruising Champions League qualifying defeat by Sturm Graz will not be the last time Hearts fans will be ruing top scorer Lawrence Shankland's summer departure for Rangers, former Ibrox goalkeeper Cammy Bell has predicted.

In their first competitive match under new head coach Wouter Vrancken, the Scottish Premiership runners-up paid for missed chances as the Austrians scored three times in 10 second-half minutes to all but put the tie beyond the visitors.

"It was always going to be a difficult tie, but it is a damaging defeat, especially the manner of the goals that they lost," Bell told the BBC Scottish Football Podcast.

"To lose a goal from a long throw in after four minutes just sets you up for a poor night and they didn't react well to that. When they conceded that goal in the 50th minute, they almost collapsed for 10 minutes - you can't do that at the top level.

"They had the opportunities, but if you don't put the ball in the back of the net against the quality opposition that Sturm Graz are then it's going to hurt you.

"Hearts fans will be very frustrated. They're so used to watching a team that are so strong defensively and they just look really weak.

"How do you lose a goal directly from a throw, not even a flick on, headed straight into the goal? That's unacceptable at that level.

"After that, [Alexandros] Kyziridis had a chance - one-on-one with the goalkeeper and he doesn't even hit the target - and I think, if that's Lawrence Shankland, that's in the back of the net.

"I think there'll be a lot of moments like that coming in the season ahead.

"It looks like a real uphill battle. This tie's absolutely gone for them."

We asked for your views after Hearts were humbled by Sturm Graz in the first leg of their Champions League second-round qualifier.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Paul: Terrible defending. I do not know why they persist with Pierre Landry Kabore - he's bang average and his goal ratio is awful. Give young James Wilson some game time, at least he knows how to put the ball in the back of the net. We were punished due to poor defending and things have to tighten up.

Gina: I thought we looked good when attacking but we need to look at our defence, which let us down badly.

David: Real mixed emotions with this one. We looked very dangerous going forward, even with some of our better players starting on the bench. But our inability to finish moves was very frustrating. The real problem is in defence. Jamie McCart is not nearly good enough for this level, but I assume he was only in because Stuart Findlay isn't quite ready to start after ankle surgery. We wouldn't have had that scoreline with Findlay or Craig Halkett.

Andy: Questionable starting line-up. We conceded some really sloppy goals and looked devoid of confidence in the second half. We'll need to learn quickly and move on.

Davie: The manager got this team selection totally wrong. For our first away leg and first competitive game, we needed to be structured better. We were far, far too open and we don't have the killer touch at the moment to play this way. Most of the better players were sitting on the bench - why?

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Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken told BBC Sport: "We didn't start too badly but then lost the set piece. Our game got killed by two set pieces first half and second half.

"After the first goal, we needed some minutes to come back in it and find our confidence again.

"But then we did well and created a lot of chances. We have to do a lot better with these chances, at this level you have to score goals there.

"I was confident at half-time that we could still turn it around that we could use the space better, and show more conviction.

"Then the second half starts. We get the first good opportunity, we miss it. Then we concede from a set piece and mentally, it's difficult for the players.

"Then the players want to force it and lose the overview, and make it more difficult. Today, when you don't [take chances] yourself, you get killed.

"When you play at this level, you have to be efficient and they were more efficient than we were today.

"We had a lot of possession, created chances. We had to be better. At the end, we were dominant but we were trying to force it in the final 20 metres. When you force, it will not come.

"We have to believe, especially when it's at Tynecastle with the support from the fans who were amazing today, even in this result.

"You never know, we could score some goals. It can be magic there."

Wouter Vrancken's rein as head coach got off to the worst possible start as his Hearts side fell to a horrendous 4-0 loss to Sturm Graz in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier in Austria.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Hearts will be placing a "massive emphasis" on Europe, says former defender Ryan McGowan, as the club prepares for a first Champions League qualifier in 20 years.

The Edinburgh side are in Austria for the first leg of their second round contest with Sturm Graz.

Victory would set up a meeting with either Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze and provide a guarantee of reaching the league phase of the Europa League.

Benfica or St Gallen await the losers in Europa League qualifying.

"Hearts will be quietly confident," McGowan told the BBC Scottish Football Podcast. "They are not playing a heavyweight, but it is a difficult game. It's a real test to see where they are at.

"They will hope they can get some kind of result to stay in the tie."

Tynecastle investor Tony Bloom has made an impact in Europe with Brighton and Union Saint-Gilloise and McGowan believes it is central to the player-trading model deployed by all three clubs.

"There will be a massive emphasis on European football since it makes it more appealing to bring in players and a much better place to be selling from," added the Livingston veteran.

"If they can get through this one, they will have big, big games coming up."

Following what McGowan called an "almost perfect season" with Hearts unbeaten at home and missing out on the title to Celtic on the last day, the Edinburgh club has gone through a major summer rebuild.

Manager Derek McInnes has left for Rangers, along with Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin, while replacement head coach Wouter Vrancken has nine new players in his squad.

"Yes, there was anger when they lost their manager and top scorer but, looking at the bigger picture, there's real excitement," added McGowan.

"A lot of fans I've spoken to feel like if Hearts are to be the club Tony Bloom wants them to be then Derek McInnes probably wasn't the man to take them to that next level - in terms of winning the league and Europe."

Midfielder Laurent Mendy is poised to join Hearts before the second leg at home to Sturm Graz, while there has been repeated media speculation over the future of Claudio Braga.

The Portuguese forward, signed from the Norwegian second tier, insists he is content in Edinburgh, but McGowan has no doubt the 26-year-old would join the exodus - for the right price.

"If Hearts can get the kind of numbers being reported, £6m up to £10m, then he's gone. Hearts will be kicking him out of the door!

"This is the template Tony Bloom has and it's been successful for him.

"They will firmly believe they can find more Bragas to give them that platform.

"But Braga says he's happy at the club and, if he has European group stage football to look forward to, there's no reason why he wouldn't want to stay on until a suitable bid comes in."

Hearts are the first Scottish in European action this season as they travel to Austria to face Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying.

How ready are Wouter Vrancken's new-look side after a summer of major change? Can they cope with the loss of key figures and keep their European ambitions on track?

Andy Burke is joined by Ryan McGowan and Mark Atkinson as they focus on the challenge facing the Jambos, discuss the impact of Tony Bloom's long-term vision and run the rule over summer recruitment.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland senior reporter in Graz

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It has been 67 days since Hearts last played a competitive match, and it is unlikely they will be involved in anything quite as dramatic as that afternoon at Celtic Park.

They came within minutes of securing their first top-flight title in more than six decades before it slipped out of their grasp.

However, the work done last season has earned Hearts a shot at Champions League football, even if the route to the league phase is long and demanding.

There has also been significant turnover in personnel since May. High-profile departures have seen Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland make the move to Rangers, following last season's head coach, McInnes.

As a result, a new cast has been assembled at Tynecastle over the past few weeks, tasked with building on a campaign that few associated with the club will ever forget.

Wouter Vrancken has arrived and has had little time to settle into his role, while also overseeing a swift recruitment drive to reshape his squad.

The Belgian arrives with an impressive reputation, and those responsible for appointing the 47-year-old are delighted they were able to persuade him to take charge.

Expectations, both among the support and within the club, have risen as the curtain rises on a new campaign.

It would be unfair to judge where this new-look Hearts side stands on the outcome of their tie with Sturm alone, but regardless of the result, a challenging but intriguing season lies ahead.

Read more: Hearts ready to 'go for it' in Champions League quest

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland in Graz

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Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken has been speaking to the media before Tuesday night's Champions League second-round qualifier against Sturm Graz.

Here are they key parts of what the Belgian said:

• Hearts are "as ready as possible" to give their best after working hard to get to this point in pre-season.

• Harry Milne will captain the squad tomorrow night, with injured centre-back Craig Halkett named as the club's captain and Stephen Kinglsey, Jamie McCart and Blair Spittal also in the leadership group

• Striker Amadou Ba-Sy had such an impact in Friday's friendly win against Rayo Vallecano that it would have been a "mistake" not to add him to the squad.

• Sturm Graz are a "strong" side with plenty of physicality but also some good players. Hearts have done their analysis as always and feel there are areas they can get opportunities.

• Vrancken says he tried to be "open" with those who missed the squad and praised Josh McPake in particular as one of those who had his best game in Friday's friendly.

• If Hearts have the right quality on the ball they can have success against Sturm Graz's pressure.

• Important to show "guts" from the start and not think about the next round, or other qualifiers and get distracted.

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Hearts will meet Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze if they get past Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying.

If Hearts lose to Austrian side Sturm, the winners of the tie between Benfica and St Gallen of Switzerland await in the Europa League.

In either case, a daunting task likely lies ahead for Wouter Vrancken's team.

Fenerbahce are heavy favourites to progress against Gornik Zabrze - who finished second in Poland's top flight last season - and the Turkish outfit have a host of big name players in their squad.

Former Manchester City defender Nathan Ake and former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood have both signed this summer, to go alongside the likes of N'Golo Kante, Marco Asensio, Ederson and Milan Skriniar.

They are ranked 30th in Uefa's club coefficient rankings, more than 100 places above Hearts.

One would also expect Benfica to progress from their tie against St Gallen, should that be the route Hearts go down.

The Portuguese giants were unbeaten in the Primeira Liga last season, but finished third after 11 draws left them behind both Porto and Sporting.

They also reached the knockout phase of the Champions League under Jose Mourinho after victories against Ajax, Napoli and Real Madrid, before Real got their revenge in the play-off round with a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Mourinho has since returned to Los Blancos and has been replaced in the Benfica dugout by former Everton and Fulham boss Marco Silva.

Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis is a prolific goal scorer, netting 30 times in all competitions last season, while Norway's Andreas Schjelderup and Rafa Silva are dangerous wingers.

Sturm pose a tough test for Vrancken's competitive bow as Hearts boss and things will not get any easier for the Belgian coach and his new-look squad as he tries to guide the Tynecastle outfit back to European group-stage football.

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Amadou Ba-Sy is a late addition to Hearts' Champions League squad after the striker scored twice in Friday's friendly win over Rayo Vallecano.

Winger Rogers Mato is the player to drop out of the 22-man group to accommodate the 6ft, 3in Frenchman signed from Rouen.

Hearts take on Strum Graz in the second qualifying round, with the first leg in Austria on Tuesday.

Three summer signings are omitted; goalkeeper Beau Reus defender MJ Kamson-Kamara and forward Josh McPake.

Alexander Schwolow is expected to play in both legs before completing an agreed switch to Mainz.

Yan Dhanda, Sander Kartum, and Elton Kabangu miss out, while Craig Halkett and Ageu are injured.

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Forward Claudio Braga, 26, is happy at Hearts after an impressive debut season last term and speculation over his future. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required, external)

Braga is "very excited" by the prospect of playing in the Champions League. (Record, external)

And Portuguese Braga would go through the ups and downs of last season's campaign at Hearts all over again. (Sun, external)

Sunday's Scottish gossip

New recruits Amadou Ba-Sy, MJ Kamson-Kamara, Josh McPake and Beau Reus are not listed in Hearts' 22-man squad for their upcoming Champions League qualifying tie with Austrians Sturm Graz. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required, external)

Celtic are planning a move to sign Hearts forward Claudio Braga, 26. (Football Insider, external)

Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Retiring goalkeeper Craig Gordon greeted Hearts supporters and took their acclaim at Tynecastle before Friday's 2-1 friendly win as Amadou Ba-Sy's double secured victory against La Liga side Rayo Vallecano.

Gordon, 43, announced the end of his 25-year career on Thursday, having spent the past six years at first club Hearts. His stints at Tynecastle bookended spells with Sunderland and Celtic, with Gordon having also turned out on loan at Cowdenbeath early in his career and winning 84 Scotland caps.

Summer signing Ba-Sy's two headers gave Wouter Vrancken's team a 2-0 half-time lead.

Sergio Camello's deflected shot reduced Rayo Vallecano's deficit in the second period.

Goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow started for Hearts before his imminent move to Mainz in his native Germany. Ryan Fulton took over Schwolow on 62 minutes.

Stephen Kingsley captained the side as recent recruits MJ Kamson-Kamara, Josh McPake and Thomas Renaud started. Other recent captures Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Sabri Guendouz, Rogers Mato and Calvin Miller came on as second-half substitutes.

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Beau Reus is keen to step up to the "big league" with Hearts after signing a three-year deal at Tynecastle.

The 24-year-old Dutchman has been signed as a free agent, having been with Belgian side Beveren for the past four campaigns.

He says he grew up from a boy to a man in Belgium, but he is excited to take a step up in Gorgie.

"I'm so excited," Reus said. "We took our time, but we made the right decision. I'm so happy to be here.

"We had a great season last year. The last four years were nice, a step up now.

"As a person I came in [at Beveren] like a kid and left as a grown man. Now is the time for the big league, so I want to show myself here.

"The club, you see how big it is, what you guys reached last year is wonderful and I hope we can do the same this year and maybe even better."

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Hearts goalkeeper Liam McFarlane has joined Scottish Championship outfit Partick Thistle on loan for the 2026-27 season.

McFarlane, 21, spent last season on loan with Alloa Athletic and travelled to the World Cup this summer as Scotland's training goalkeeper.

He made 39 appearances for Alloa as they just missed out on promotion to the Championship, losing the play-off final to Stenhousemuir.