Hearts crashed out of the Conference League after a disappointing 2-2 home draw with Moldovan minnows Petrocub cost them the chance to progress to the play-offs.
A win over a Petrocub side that had taken just one point from their previous five games in the tournament would be enough to keep Neil Critchley’s side in the top 24 and take them into Friday’s play-off draw.
“We have only ourselves to blame.”
Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland gives a critical reflection on their defeat to Petrocub which saw them exit Europe.
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But after fighting back from 1-0 down at half-time to go 2-1 up with goals from teenager James Wilson and substitute Blair Spital, an 83rd-minute penalty from Viktor Mudrak meant the Jumbos failed to progress to the group stage . despite winning the first two matches.
“Only we are to blame”
Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland he told TNT Sports: “We only have 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 this (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.
“He wasn’t there all season, it was disappointing.”
Chelsea are the only British team still in the competition as Welsh side New Saints also exited, losing 3-2 in Slovenia to Celje. Craig Harrison’s side leave with five defeats from six matches.
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 Belgium’s Genk 1-0 at Windsor Park.
