Hearts boss Robbie Neilson 'devastated' after Europa League exit

Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson admitted his devastation at crashing out of the Europa League second qualifying round to Maltese team Birkirkara.

Connor Salmon's late strike could not prevent a humiliating 2-1 defeat to the semi-professional side, who scored twice in the second half to leave Hearts needing three to overcome the away-goals rule.

Neilson insists his side are young and will learn from the defeat but rued missed chances, including a penalty in the first half.

"Obviously we are devastated. We passed the ball well, created lots of chances, we got the penalty, hit the bar twice, but couldn't get the goal and then got hit with the sucker punch.

"That's European football for you. These games are difficult. If we score the penalty it is a different game. We have to learn from it.

"We have a young group of players, a young group of coaches, but you can't let teams score goals like that against us and that is what cost us in the end.

"We have a lot of guys in there who haven't played any European football before; kids who are still growing with the club and you need to make sure you put this in perspective.

"Yes, we are devastated about it tonight. It took a full year's work to get here and we are upset that we have lost, but now the work begins to get us back again next year."

Birkirkara head coach Drazen Besek claimed Hearts were a simple team to work out, although he spoke about enjoying some good fortune.

Besek said: "We expected that. It did not surprise me nor my team because we know how we work.

"Hearts played simply, with long balls, and we read how they played. For our team it is very important that every player on the pitch gives their maximum, but we were lucky. It is a big success."