Heart of Midlothian will enter the Conference League after losing 1-0 to Viktoria Plzen at Tynecastle Park and 2-0 on aggregate in the Europa League play-off.

It was a tense and tight match for much of the evening but the Czechs took a huge step forward into the second European competition when Lukas Cerv beat Craig Gordon with a fine strike after 75 minutes.

Over the tie, Hearts simply didn't do enough to trouble the Plzen goal and never looked like getting back into it after going behind. The team were booed off when the full-time whistle blew.

The club will find out their Conference League opponents tomorrow afternoon with the draw scheduled for 1.30pm.

Missed opportunity

In 2022, Hearts had a wonderful opportunity to reach the Europa League group stage when they brought an FC Zurich team, who would go on to finish eighth in the Swiss Super League, to Tynecastle Park with the tie in the balance. Hearts were excellent until Jorge Grant's sending off and ultimately lost the match, dropping into the Conference League. Fast forward two years and Hearts once again passed up an opportunity to reach the Europa League. A more lucrative and exciting tournament than it was back then. Steven Naismith's side saw last week that they could match Plzen and with a raucous, sell-out home crowd it was hoped they would make it very uncomfortable for the Czechs. They didn't do it enough. They didn't do enough. The Czech's goal was met by an exit in the stand and the home side didn't put up much of a response. In the end, it was a meek defeat. It wasn't a valiant effort. It wasn't a glorious failure. There was no controversy. Just all a bit of nothing.

Line-up call and Boyce

A quick glance at the team announcement on social media would show that fans didn't agree with the starting XI. Both the back three and Liam Boyce's starting role came under scrutiny. Taking the latter first, the Northern Irishman didn't have a good night. His first two touches saw the ball bounce off him to an opponent. Hearts in the past few seasons have played some great stuff into and off of Boyce as either a No.10 or No.9. That wasn't the case. He was on the periphery and seemed to be a step behind the pace of the game or where he needed to be. As for the line-up itself, it gave Hearts a solid platform but unfortunately, there was little in the way of a sustained attacking presence or threat. When Hearts got into the Plzen half, especially the final third, there never seemed to be the belief that the Plzen goal would come under threat. At times the play was slow. Other times it was disjointed. But for much of the evening, it simply wasn't very exciting or enjoyable for the fans to watch. There were moments when you had to double-check that it was Hearts who needed the goal. Any belief and all noise was sucked from the crowd when Lukas Cerv zipped his shot into the bottom corner past Craig Gordon with Hearts having survived a scare in the moment before.

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Malachi the maestro

The centre midfielder has been the best Hearts player over the past few games. He has had such a strong presence at the base of the team's midfield, in and out of possession. There was a brilliant moment in the second half where the hulking Daniel Vasulin stomped his way into the Hearts box. He had caused the centre-backs problems all night with his size and physicality. No problem for Boateng who eased over and got his body between man and ball to see it out for a goal kick. His work rate, ability to get around the pitch, handling of the ball and performance in general was one of the few positives from the night.

Chaos and Vargas

Tynecastle Park was loud at points on Thursday evening. One of the loudest moments during the match came when Kenneth Vargas charged at the Viktoria Plzen defence. The Costa Rican would ultimately run into traffic and lose the ball. But the intent was there. His team mates saw it and began to put pressure on the ball immediately. Plzen panicked and the ball was given back to Hearts in their own half. The Hearts crowd erupted, showing their appreciation of Vargas' intent and the reaction of the team to win it back. Hearts fans are demanding, yes. But they are also easily pleased. They like to see a team that runs, battles and fights, making it uncomfortable for the opposition out of possession. In possession, they want to see a team that plays forward, turns the opposition and puts the ball in the box. It has been written on here before and will be written here again, Tynecastle Park thrives amidst chaos. Hearts fans love chaos. It energises them and engages them. One player creates that more than any other. Vargas. His end product may not quite be there and requires refining but his effort and energy will never be faulted. He is direct, he is hard working and, as a result, he brings chaos. It's why he more than any other player will be given slack if things don't quite go his way. 

Sunday is hugely important

Even before Thursday night's match it could be argued Sunday against Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership was more important. That importance becomes even greater, the game itself taking on more significance. Hearts are winless in six and the crowd are growing increasingly impatient with the direction of the team at the start of the campaign. With an international break on the horizon, Hearts must win. They must break out of this winless streak. They must restore some confidence in the dressing room and in the stands. Fail to do so and it becomes a long two weeks before a trip to Celtic Park.