Steven Naismith lamented the lack of attacking quality in Heart of Midlothian's Europa League play-off defeat to Viktoria Plzen.

Hearts lost 1-0 at Tynecastle Park and 2-0 on aggregate to the Czechs, dropping into the Conference League.

Naismith spoke about Lawrence Shankland's injury and possible transfer business.

Read or listen to everything the Hearts boss said:

What was your assessment?

We probably lacked the quality to win the tie. I thought we got the crowd involved early and we got on the attack but we didn't put that pressure into any real chances. That's the most disappointing part. We huffed and puffed without really causing loads of problems. It was all nearly getting the ball, nearly making the goalie make a save, or a delivery or ball into the box. It's another cheap goal from us that we lose and it takes the tie beyond us. You can see why Plzen are consistently in Europe because they managed the game well, they defended their box well and they made the right passes at the right moment. That's probably the biggest difference.

Did you wait too late to go for it?

In the first half, we were in the final third, but it was just the wrong pass or cross. It wasn't that we didn't get into the final third. I think you can naively say that we should have opened the game up early, but as I said, Plzen are an experienced European team.

Is lack of quality a concern after six games without a win?

It's certainly a frustration. The guys we have here and who we've brought to the club have shown they have got the quality. It's about bringing that consistently. In big moments, you need it. This season, we definitely haven't.

It seemed the players not going forward quickly enough annoyed you?

Slightly, because when we got into the final third you could see we were picking up balls and it was leading to opportunity. Too many times we did play short passes which didn't advance us. We ended up going back to the goalie or a pass was played to a player who was closed off and can't play forward. Yeah, it was a frustration.

Why have the attacking issues from last season come back?

I don't think there's anything we can sit and pinpoint. The guys who are newer to the club, you've got to give them a bit of time to get used to it and the demand. For the players in the squad, when you are on the pitch it needs to be an opportunity to say: 'Right, I'm going to stay in the team.' At the moment, too many are bypassing that opportunity and that quality is just not there.

Positives in Conference League?

There's a positive that we're in Europe until Christmas. In terms of the level and wins, the new setup of every European competition is trying to balance that out to an extent. We are going into the Conference League, it's still a success for the club but short term we need to start being more of a threat at the top end of the pitch.

Did Boyce pick up an injury?

It seemed to be. I seen as much as you. I've not actually touched on any of the boys who have come off but I imagine there'll be a few with bumps and bruises. We'll assess that tomorrow morning. But it did look like he was at least tight and maybe cramping up.

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Do you expect to be busy in the transfer window?

Not at the moment. We will wait and see how the day plays out but I don't expect to be doing loads of stuff.

What's the latest with Shankland?

Where the injury is, it is in an awkward place because you feel it kicking the ball, tackling. He has been running, he has kicked the ball, there is discomfort there so we are hoping that over the next couple of days, he will be fine for Sunday but we will wait and see.

How important is Sunday?

Every result that doesn't go your way the next game becomes important so Sunday is really important for us. I think we need to bring a tempo, bring an attacking threat as we didn't have tonight. Every team has been there, we were there last season, you play teams in Europe, they come and see an opportunity and think we will be fatigued. We need to put that to the side and make sure we put on a good performance.

How do you get that tempo? 

It’s your choice of pass and understanding what gets the crowd engaged. Even over the last year, we’ve not been particularly good at that. A lot of the time I feel there’s an opportunity - we then don’t take it and it leads to them getting a throw-in and an advantage and coming forward with the ball and it’s a missed opportunity. All we can do is continue to work on it and try to get the payers to understand making the right choice has a big impact on the crowd as much as it does on the pitch.

Do you understand the Boos?

Definitely. When I saw the draw and even after the first leg I thought tonight was a good opportunity to get to the Europa League. It’s one we’ve missed. But being at a big club and not getting results.. there’s a demand and a level that’s expected of you and at the moment we’re not hitting that.